ONE WK OLD: poll for those who measure the temp in the brooder

[mrv19]

Whats the temp?

Mine is between 80-85 under the lamp right now. Just curious what others are at. They are happily beebopping in and out. I think the temp is 80 there but onve the 4 huddle up there the temp rises to 85

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I don't use a thermometer.
I raise chicks like a mother hen does. Provide one warm spot and lots of cool space.

 

[donrae]

I don't use a thermometer.
I raise chicks like a mother hen does. Provide one warm spot and lots of cool space.

I'm also in this camp. I don't adjust the height of the lamp as they age. They just spend more time out from under the light. But, I have a very large brooder and it's in an unheated barn, so they have plenty of opportunity to get the cooler temps and feather out faster than a lot of chicks I see here raised indoors who never get temps below 70 degrees.

Plus, during hatching season, I run one brooder with chicks of multiple ages. The littles stay under the heat more, the bigger ones spread out. As the bigs age out to the grow out pen, more littles move in...it's a cycle.

 

[azygous]

Back when I brooded in a box indoors, I realized that 90-95F was much hotter than chicks prefer. When I got rid of the hamburger patty hot light, and installed a 100 watt incandescent bulb, it came to about 80-85F and the chicks were much happier.

Now I brood in a safe pen in the run, no box, the chicks have 200 sq feet to romp in, and their heat source is a heating pad cave, which usually measures around 85F on the floor inside.

 

[mrv19]

I realize many dont use thermometers, thats why i specified for those who do. I do agree that reading tge chicks response is the best way, but even with that, i am curious what that works out to be typically for 1 week chicks. I am also a believer that too hot is worse then too cool...and if anything id like to SAFELY encourage them to feather out and be hardy as quick as possible. What i have realized however is that my chicks seem to be happy within a pretty large range of temps, so before i push my limits and change things up too hastily i would like a concenses of whats a safe "low" for chicks at 7-8 days old. Mine as well will spend a GREAT DEAL of time in an area of the brooder that barely registers at 70

 

[mrv19]

I should also add that the coop is being completed right now. So brooding outdoors is not yet an option

 

[ladyj02]

I used a heat lamp 24/7 for my girls for the first week I had them. They're in a big box down in my basement and the basement temp runs about 70* . As of a few days ago, I unplug the heat lamp during the day and just leave the regular overhead light on. They seem fine, frolicking around in their box, eating and drinking well. I turn the heat lamp back on at night, but I'm thinking of stopping soon since they're getting some nice feathers on them and don't seem to be bothered by not having the heat source, and they don't huddle anymore either.

 

[ladyj02]

Oh and I'll add that my chicks are about 2 weeks old.

 

[LABstrong]

I do not measure temps in brooder. I use a Brinsea EcoGlow and the chicks move in and out from under that as needed. The first few days they are mostly under and only come out for brief moments to eat and drink but after that they spend a lot more time running around and then go under it at night.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I realize many dont use thermometers, thats why i specified for those who do. I do agree that reading tge chicks response is the best way, but even with that, i am curious what that works out to be typically for 1 week chicks. I am also a believer that too hot is worse then too cool...and if anything id like to SAFELY encourage them to feather out and be hardy as quick as possible. What i have realized however is that my chicks seem to be happy within a pretty large range of temps, so before i push my limits and change things up too hastily i would like a concenses of whats a safe "low" for chicks at 7-8 days old. Mine as well will spend a GREAT DEAL of time in an area of the brooder that barely registers at 70

I'm sorry I chimed in when you were only looking for specifics on temperature.

As you said, they are comfortable over a wide range. If in doubt and you want to control thermostatically, it may be best to stick with commercial operations routine.
90 F week 1, 85 week 2, 80 week 3 and so on.