It looks like you are using that clamp. Throw that away so you are not tempted to use is and use wire to hold the lamp in place. Not string that can burn or plastic that can melt, but wire that will hold it firmly in place. In my opinion most of the problems caused by heat lamps are due to that clamp or improper attaching.
I think your brooder is in your house. That makes some things easier. I brood out of doors in the coop and have seen temperature swings go from below freezing to over 70 F in 36 hours. That complicates it a bit. But you have the basics covered. Keep one area warm enough in the coolest conditions and an area cool enough in the warmest conditions. Even straight out of the incubator or from the post office my chicks are really good at self-regulating as long as they have that option. That's even when the far end of the brooder is below freezing as long as the other end is toasty. Inside your house like that you should have stable conditions to work with.
I don't come close to believing in that 5 degrees a week chart. I've raised too many chicks outside and especially seen broody hens raise chicks. If you keep your warmest area in those ranges you will be plenty warm but make sure they have a cooler place to go. I've seen chicks raised outside with access to cold temperatures so they get acclimated go through nights below freezing at age 5-1/2 weeks with no supplemental heat. I agree the best thing to do is watch your chicks. They will tell you if they are too warm or too cold. With your set-up they can handle those details themselves.
I think your brooder is in your house. That makes some things easier. I brood out of doors in the coop and have seen temperature swings go from below freezing to over 70 F in 36 hours. That complicates it a bit. But you have the basics covered. Keep one area warm enough in the coolest conditions and an area cool enough in the warmest conditions. Even straight out of the incubator or from the post office my chicks are really good at self-regulating as long as they have that option. That's even when the far end of the brooder is below freezing as long as the other end is toasty. Inside your house like that you should have stable conditions to work with.
I don't come close to believing in that 5 degrees a week chart. I've raised too many chicks outside and especially seen broody hens raise chicks. If you keep your warmest area in those ranges you will be plenty warm but make sure they have a cooler place to go. I've seen chicks raised outside with access to cold temperatures so they get acclimated go through nights below freezing at age 5-1/2 weeks with no supplemental heat. I agree the best thing to do is watch your chicks. They will tell you if they are too warm or too cold. With your set-up they can handle those details themselves.
