New chick owner and very confused

[Ann Perkhens]

Hello! I’m glad to be a part of the chicken raising club but definitely struggling along this far. I think my brooder is too warm, but yet my chickens are all huddled together. They are panting, and definitely to the side of the coop, but they are also huddling and seem to be trying to snuggle. I have a very inaccurate thermometer so that isn’t helping the problem. Can anyone tell?

 

[Ann Perkhens]

Okay. I turned one of the heat lamps off and got a consistent reading of 92 for a little while and they were running around and eating and drinking. They’re all snoozing and are more spread out now. More normal?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

This is why I don't personally like using heat lamps. I prefer a mother hen radiate heater. However, when using a heat lamp, you want to ensure there is a section of the brooder when the lamp is not providing much heat so if chicks are too warm, they can escape the heat. The type of bunching I see in the picture isn't a "cold" huddle, it's just a normal cuddle pile for chicks. They are very social creatures! It's always difficult to tell for sure in pictures, but to me it appears the lamp is providing heat for the entire brooder, so it is certainly possible it is too warm. If you have any other thermometers, maybe an outdoor thermometer, or one for people or cooking, you can use that as your backup.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

They should have a warm spot to go into and a cool spot to cool off. From your pics it looks like they have constant heat. It also looks like their water might be warm from the condensation on the glass

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Yep!

 

[Henrietta 65]

This is why I’m not a big fan of heat lamps I prefer the eco glow by Brinsea but if you have to make do with the heat lamp make sure there’s a place where they can get shade and that there water not to hot and welcome to byc

 

[aart]

I’m thinking I might get a different heat source as this one is just giving me too much anxiety.

Pads and plates can be even more anxiety provoking for newbies.
Here's some tips about using a lamp:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-chick-heat-blurb.75619/

 

[Ann Perkhens]

Hi! They should have a warm corner and a cool corner to go in! They will choose the temp they wanna be! There water should be in the cool corner as well

Thank you!!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

How quickly will they outgrown this set up? We have other ideas and options if needed.

Fast! I'd say you've got less than two weeks before they are squished in there. I didn't realize you had two heat lamps going so it makes sense they were a little too toasty! I'm glad they are peeping and content now.

 

[aart]

the coop will definitely be too cold for them and I’m not sure we can run electric out there

How far is it?
I use a 100' heavy duty outdoor rate extension cord plugged into a GFCI outlet.

Oh, and..... Welcome to BYC! @Ann Perkhens (Perk Hens-haha!)
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