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csanfo

csanfo

In the Brooder
5 Years
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
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Hi all! I am excited to join this site as a posting member as I have been lurking around the learning center and forums for some time now. The knowledge and helpful members are so great! I can't wait to contribute. I live in Asheville NC and am planning on getting chicks in a few weeks. I have been designing my coop and gathering materials/supplies for over 2 months in preparation. I've built a brood box and am planning to start construction of the coop in a week or so. I'm planning on getting 6 chicks (as per city regulations) and cannot be more excited. I do however have a question already... My brood box is made out of wood with a chick wire top an is about 2' wide by 4' long. When I set everything up and tested the brood lamp for a day I had the hardest time getting it to stay at 90*F. I eventually had to cover the entire top with a towel to keep the heat in. In lots of other brood box pictures I just see a box with a light on top and that's it. Would that be fine for me or should I really trap that warmth in? I'll try and get a picture up with my phone... It since has bedding, a proper lid and the waterers/feeders etc and is sectioned off (about half) to allow room to grow.
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You can cover about half of the brooder with a towel. I have done this. But never cover the entire thing as you need good oxygen and heat exchange. Very important to get air inside the brooder. But you are doing great!

Good luck with your babies and welcome to BYC!
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! X2 on cover part of the box if you need to...but the whole box doesn't have to be the 90-95*, you just want enough of the box (usually under the light) that warm so all the chicks have room there without piling on top of each other, you actually want some cooler spots for the chicks to go to if they are too warm.
 
Certainly don't try and have the entire brooder the same temp, the chicks need to be able to get away for the heat if needed. I personally never worried about having a certain temp, I watched my chicks and adjusted the heat lamp as needed. If the chicks are chirping loudly and huddled together then they are too cold, if they are quiet and nicely spread out then they are happy.

Make sure to check out the Learning Center and utilize the search bar towards the top of the page :) And ask anything you need to
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