New chick owner and very confused

[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!!

 

[ChloeSilkie08]

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

That's what I use and I can't ever process using a heat lamp again!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Those photos do not show them being overheated. If they are too cold they get as close to the heat source as they can. If they are too hot they line the far wall, getting as far from the heat as they can. Those are doing neither. Cuddling when sleeping is normal, they like the company. It does not mean they are cold. Thermometers can help the confidence of someone just starting out, they can be a good tool. But I go more by what the chicks are telling me than by any thermometer.

Where is that brooder, in the house in a controlled climate or somewhere you can have large temperature swings. To me the ideal brooder needs a spot warm enough in the coolest temperatures and cool enough in the warmest temperatures. In a climate controlled area that isn't hard to do. Outside it can be more challenging.

I counted at least a dozen chicks. How big is that brooder? They may outgrow it before too long.

I brood outside in my coop in a 3' x 6' brooder. I use a heat lamp like people have been using for over 100 years. I can't see how yours is supported. My suggestion is to not use that clamp that comes with it at all. Use wire or small chain to securely keep it in place. Don't use string or plastic that can burn or melt, use something really secure like wire or chain. That should eliminate most of the risk in using a heat lamp. I don't have anything against heat plates or heating pads either if they are set up correctly. Using them properly will eliminate practically al the risks from them too.

I sometimes brood chicks when it is below freezing. I keep one end of the brooder toasty warm but sometimes the far end of the brooder has ice in it. In summer the problem is reversed, a little heat can go a long way so the chicks spend most of their time in the cool end. I find that chicks straight out of the incubator or from the post office can handle finding a comfortable spot very well when given the option.

 

[Ann Perkhens]

Those photos do not show them being overheated. If they are too cold they get as close to the heat source as they can. If they are too hot they line the far wall, getting as far from the heat as they can. Those are doing neither. Cuddling when sleeping is normal, they like the company. It does not mean they are cold. Thermometers can help the confidence of someone just starting out, they can be a good tool. But I go more by what the chicks are telling me than by any thermometer.

Where is that brooder, in the house in a controlled climate or somewhere you can have large temperature swings. To me the ideal brooder needs a spot warm enough in the coolest temperatures and cool enough in the warmest temperatures. In a climate controlled area that isn't hard to do. Outside it can be more challenging.

I counted at least a dozen chicks. How big is that brooder? They may outgrow it before too long.

I brood outside in my coop in a 3' x 6' brooder. I use a heat lamp like people have been using for over 100 years. I can't see how yours is supported. My suggestion is to not use that clamp that comes with it at all. Use wire or small chain to securely keep it in place. Don't use string or plastic that can burn or melt, use something really secure like wire or chain. That should eliminate most of the risk in using a heat lamp. I don't have anything against heat plates or heating pads either if they are set up correctly. Using them properly will eliminate practically al the risks from them too.

I sometimes brood chicks when it is below freezing. I keep one end of the brooder toasty warm but sometimes the far end of the brooder has ice in it. In summer the problem is reversed, a little heat can go a long way so the chicks spend most of their time in the cool end. I find that chicks straight out of the incubator or from the post office can handle finding a comfortable spot very well when given the option.

thanks for your reply! Very informative. The brooder is in our sunroom, which we’ve been keeping warm. They seem happier now that I’ve taken one of the heat lamps away. Peeping quietly, running to and fro and eating and drinking well. I have included a picture of my set up. The hatchery I ordered from definitely sent us some bonus chickens. There are more than we thought. How quickly will they outgrown this set up? We have other ideas and options if needed.

 

[aart]

We have other ideas and options if needed.

Sooner than you think.
Do you have a coop ready......other birds?

The brooder is in our sunroom, which we’ve been keeping warm.

Best to keep the room as cool as possible.

 

[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.

 

[Ann Perkhens]

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.

oh dear that’s much sooner than I thought it’d be...the coop will definitely be too cold for them and I’m not sure we can run electric out there. I saw in a different thread someone posted that they connected two totes so the chicks have more room. Will that still be too little space?

 

[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!)
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Ann Perkhens]

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!)
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2489580

Hi Aart! Location added. We just moved to an area we’ve learned is called the Snow Belt. Lots of snow. Very, very cold.

I’m not sure how far back it is, honestly, but my husband is building us a different coop as it was an existing structure on the property and it does not fit a lot of chicken needs, but we thought it’d die in the interim. But if they’re still needing heat...I’m not sure we’d be able to do that....

 

[Ann Perkhens]

Sooner than you think.
Do you have a coop ready......other birds?

Best to keep the room as cool as possible.

No other birds. We have a small building on our new property that will work, but my hubby is building them a different coop for their long-term residence as it’s not really functional long term (no nesting boxes, roosts, and the like).

why keep the room cool? For air flow?