newbie question

[vader]

Hi, how far from the floor of the brooder should a 250 watt headlamp be?
I'm ggettin inconsistent readings off my digital thermometer

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi . I personally don't use thermometers in the brooders I go on what my chicks are doing. If they are all huddled together under the heat very close together I lower the brooder and if they are spread out looking like they are trying to escape the heat I raise it up. I like them to be under the heat but not on top of each other.

 

[Folly's place]

Set up your brooder with the thermometer under the light, and check ground level temps at various distances from under the light. With a brand new set-up, you need to get baseline data. It depends on ambient temp. too. I know how my brooders work so don't use a thermometer any more. Get organized before the chicks arrive, then watch their behavior; the babies will let you know how they are doing! Most important, double or triple attach your heat lamp to prevent fires, dead chicks, and the loss of your building! Mary