Should I change the heat source

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

Hello!
I have raised baby chicks before and normally they use the brooder plate. Here is my current scenario. I have 10 chicks, 5 are 2 weeks old and 5 are a week old. They are in a brooder in an extra bedroom. I have a brooder plate that says it will cover 10 chicks. Most of them are cuddled outside of the brooder plate. I am not sure what to make of it. I know they can get under it because I have seen them peeking out from underneath it. So... should I just leave them be or should I switch out the plate for a red lamp? I just want to make sure they are warm enough.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Isadora]

Are they peeping like they're distressed?
If they're in the house they may be warm enough without being underneath the plate.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What's the ambient temperature? Both groups are old enough that they know how to use the plate as needed to warm up. My guess is it's plenty warm enough for them to not want it most of the time.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

Are they peeping like they're distressed?
If they're in the house they may be warm enough without being underneath the plate.

No, no peeping. They just cuddle up next to it instead of under it. Maybe my chicks are broken. Lol

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

What's the ambient temperature? Both groups are old enough that they know how to use the plate as needed to warm up. My guess is it's plenty warm enough for them to not want it most of the time.

I put them in the room that is the warmest in the summer. It stays in the 70s.

 

[NatJ]

I put them in the room that is the warmest in the summer. It stays in the 70s.

No, no peeping. They just cuddle up next to it instead of under it. Maybe my chicks are broken. Lol

It sounds like your chicks are comfortable that way. Not broken, just hanging out in the place that has the temperature they want right now.

Chicks like to cuddle together, no matter what temperature they are. So they tend to move to a place that they can cuddle without being too hot or too cold.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

It sounds like your chicks are comfortable that way. Not broken, just hanging out in the place that has the temperature they want right now.

Chicks like to cuddle together, no matter what temperature they are. So they tend to move to a place that they can cuddle without being too hot or too cold.

Thanks!

 

[SueT]

When I first had a mama hen raise chicks, I was surprised at the amount of time they spent NOT under mama. Even when it was quite chilly outside, in the 40’s. Chicks 3 and 4 days old did just fine. At one and two weeks, yours are big kids now…

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

When I first had a mama hen raise chicks, I was surprised at the amount of time they spent NOT under mama. Even when it was quite chilly outside, in the 40’s. Chicks 3 and 4 days old did just fine. At one and two weeks, yours are big kids now…

Thanks!