One week old chicks prefer cool temp?

[trictle]

I have my red heat lamp set up to one side of my brooder but even though the temp only reads 85 under the lamp, the chicks still crowd over to the opposite end of the brooder, as far from the lamp as they can get. It is significantly cooler than 85 where they sleep. I thought they were supposed to prefer 95 temp in the first week. What gives?

 

[gritsar]

My chicks never liked the 90-95 rule, always preferring it 5 to 10 degrees cooler, from day one. "Listen" to your chicks.

 

[1stepcloser]

Mine like it cooler too. ((shrug)) I just take my cues from them.

 

[Carenm]

Mine too. From as soon as we got them ( under a week) they were content with 80-85. Now they are almost 3 weeks and don't even want the lamp anymore.

 

[MagsC]

Mine werent comfortable with the 95/90 temps either. Just a little cooler suited them fine. I suppose it varies.

 

[Mama2B&D&...Chickens]

so funny i was just going to post this same thing! my (2 wk olds on monday) like it around 85 too!!! Even when I 1st got them 95 was pushing it for them! good to know its ok! im just "listening" "watching" there cues!

 

[trictle]

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. Glad to know i'm on the right track.

 

[rncmomx2]

My day olds only get a 75 watt reptile light (they run, eat, sleep and play-as much as day olds play LOL

), they have no light by 2- 3 weeks (or at least the last 6 batches have). I have had them outside all day long since the weather has been in the high 40's, they seem happy and have no problems.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

It can be hard to get accurate temperature measurements when using radiant heat. Go by the chick behavior instead. If they are consistently crowding around the edges of the box then it is too hot in the middle. Raise the light a bit until they spread out evenly. Then you'll have it just right.

This is what you're looking for:

http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/General_Brooding_and_Rearing

.....Alan.