Not enough heat!

[FarmerGirl101]

Maybe try aiming directly down and measure the heat there? The way the thermometer is, I don't think it's reading the correct heat.

But how? That is the lowest I can go and my hand is really chilled.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

But how? That is the lowest I can go and my hand is really chilled.

Just try a regular lamp and see if that works. I don't know why you're having issues. You can also elevate the brooding box so it sits closer to the bulb by setting it on something.

 

[azygous]

The "shade" on your heat lamp is called a concentrator. It directs the heat in a cone from the bulb. In order for the concentrator to direct the heat to the spot on the brooder floor where the chicks will be standing as they warm themselves, the lamp needs to be hung over on end of the brooder so it focuses the heat straight down to the spot on the floor where the chicks stand. To achieve a temperature of between 85F and 95F for the first week, the lamp will need to be lowered accordingly.

As the chicks grow and their feathers come in, you will be raising the lamp to decrease the floor temp. You will know when to do this when you see the chicks hanging out away from the lamp's "footprint" on the floor of the brooder.

By age three weeks, your chicks will no longer require heat during the day, and by age four to five weeks, they may no longer need heat at night as long as the ambient temp is around 70F.

 

[JanetMarie]

The tote looks like it's too small for a heat lamp. I understand having the chicks warm and drying off after hatching, but be careful after that. This time of year it can't be cold in California!

 

[MissChick@dee]

I think her problem is that the lamp won’t arch down far enough on the tote she’s using. Try raising the inside of the tote use towels or whatever you have. You don’t want the lap too low and cook the little babies. Or you could get a dowl rod or small board and place it across the middle of the tote and adjust it there.

 

[MissChick@dee]

They will Quickly grow out of that tote. Like in a week! So start thinking about your next sized brooder box. Start looking for cardboard boxes etc.

 

[azygous]

@JanetMarie has a good point. No rules require the use of a 250 watt heat lamp. These heat lamps at such a high wattage are designed to heat a lot of chicks at cold outdoor temps, as rural chicken keepers often brood chicks outdoors in their barns, chicken coops, and runs.

250 watts is decidedly overkill over a tiny plastic tub during the warm summer weather, even indoors where the ambient temp can be 80F with a house air conditioning system running. A 100 or 75 watt incandescent bulb will provide adequate heat for two babies this time of year in the northern hemisphere.

But I still recommend the heating pad system for just two little chicks. This system is designed to simulate the close, cozy confines of a broody hen, and the best part is the chicks aren't under a bright light 24 hours a day with no relief. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[lazy gardener]

Heat lamp + plastic tote = Easy bake oven. Many threads each season about chicks made ill or killed by those set ups. If you intend to use a heat lamp, provide enough space: try an appliance box. And as other posters have stated: position the lamp correctly, and you should be able to get by with even a 60W bulb. 250 is a recipe for disaster. Be sure the lamp is secured in more than one way. Never trust the clamp that comes with the heat lamp. You only need a small area that is warm. The remainder of the brooder should be ambient room temperature.

 

[CannedMonster]

Put your thermometer on the floor directly under the heat lamp where the chicks will be standing.
That’s why the reading is low; because it’s on the side of the tote.
My chicks walked and pooped all over the thermometer.
No big deal. It washes.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Never trust the clamp that comes with the heat lamp. You only need a small area that is warm. The remainder of the brooder should be ambient room temperature.

Yeah, I would tie the headlamp to something just in case the clamp fails or whatever. Just safety precaution.