New to raising chicks an could use a little guidance with 6 Blue Maran chicks

[Kmccracken]

Hi all I'm new to raising chicks and could use a little guidance. I bought 6 Blue Maran chicks from tractor supply today. They were eating and drinking at the store and I assume they are about a week old. brought them home put them in brooder box but the heat lamp kit I got has such a large lamp the brooder is a little too warm 101 degrees. I have raised the lamp three times and can't get the temp down to recommended 95 degrees. Also have the brooder in the house because I don't have a safe place outside in the barn for such little chicks. Wondering if the warm temp in the house could be contributing to my problem of getting the brooder the right temp for my cute little babies.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

How are they acting? Are they eating and drinking and running around? How big is your brooder?

 

[Kmccracken]

Put them in a large tote. They are sleeping and when I go in there to check on them will wake up an eat an drink

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Those plastic totes can be terrible ventilation wise. That might be part of the problem. I had one with lots of holes drilled in the side but now I use old appliance boxes or wooden ones because they don’t seem to trap air as much. I have also switched to a heat plate which you might consider. That way they have a place to escape the heat which is harder with heat lamps.

 

[Kmccracken]

Thank you for the help. Do you think they will be alright tonight. Will try to fix the problem with the heat lamp an a box in the morning.

 

[Bsmac]

Hello! Welcome to BYC! That`s one reason I like brooder heating plates they are adjustable so you can set it and if they stay under it good to go. You can also set them on an angle to help you decide how high it needs to be. If they won`t stay under it too warm for them. Plus, much safer than heat lamps! Just my 2 cents worth!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

It’s hard to say. If they are acting normally they will probably be fine

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC! They need to have a cool area they can go to if they get too warm. Can you position the lamp so that it doesn't shine directly on the entire tote?

 

[MROO]

Hello! Welcome to BYC! That`s one reason I like brooder heating plates they are adjustable so you can set it and if they stay under it good to go. You can also set them on an angle to help you decide how high it needs to be. If they won`t stay under it too warm for them. Plus, much safer than heat lamps! Just my 2 cents worth!

I use a brooder plate, too. I have tiny bantams (Nankins,) so the plate has to start out really low. It's a smaller Brinsea with adjustable legs, but constant adjusting results in broken tabs, which can get expensive! Now I raise one end higher than the other so the heat is variable. The chicks sprawl out underneath wherever the heat suits them at the moment - and I don't have to replace the plate when the legs no longer work!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to hang out.