Question on Brooder Temps

[kelly52862]

I have moved my 10 day chicks into my shed 12'X12'. There is a heat lamp in the corner on a timer to kick off around noon and back on around 5:00pm. The day time temps have been in the 90's all week. Should I use the actual temp as my guide or the "feels like" temp with the humidity factored in? The shed has limited air flow with no windows, but a screen door.

 

[Nike]

I always used the actual temp and they seemed fine. I guess if they all look huddled up and cold you can turn it on. And if they all look hot you could put a fan in or something?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Measuring radiant heat temperatures (as in from a heat bulb) accurately can be difficult. I believe you'd be much better off to go by the behavior of your chicks to determine if they are too hot or cold. This time of year for much of the country during the daytime you should not need supplemental heat at all if the weather is hot and sunny. At night you may need to provide some additional warmth.

This is what you are looking for:

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. I have a coop I put my chicks in. Even at 80 degrees out I would open their pop door at let the chicks go out if they want. I do have a couple of lamps situated so they get get as much or as little heat as they like.