Shouldn't use a thermometer -- grrrr!

[SkyWarrior]

I moved my hatchlings to the brooder and I put a thermometer in it. Bad idea.

Now, I'm paranoid, checking it every second, it seems. The chicks are acting fine -- eating, drinking and playing. The temperature shows about 90F + or - 2 degrees. I can't get it to 95F.

I hoping that's good enough to keep them warm -- they aren't huddling.

Am I being paranoid? I didn't use a thermometer with my first chicks and they all survived. I just gauged according to behavior.

 

[buildingmyark]

Thermometers are for amateurs!- Just kidding! You did right the first time! They will tell you with their body language if they are comfortable or not. If you are using a thermometer to guage the temp., make sure it is at their level and under the lamp. You're doing fine! Just watch the babies!

 

[pgpoultry]

Relax....if they are with a broody the temp. varies a great deal as they are in and out of her feathers.

Your chicks will be fine.

Sandie

 

[Happy Chooks]

My Day old chicks start out in a brooder at 85 degrees. I find they get too hot otherwise. They'll be fine, don't worry.

 

[X2Farm]

I was the same way with my first batch in July! Always checking the temp!!! Couldn't get it above 90, but thier behavior told me it was too hawt for em, so after that told me somethin. My chicks will tell me when they're hot or cold by where they cluster/lay. And most of em ended up using the thermo as a play toy rather then leaving it be

so after a week, out it came

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Just use thermometer as a general guide. Sounds like you've done fine with or without it. Relax and enjoy!

 

[chickflick]

Just watch their body language, it tells all. Huddled...too cold. Hiding in corners trying to get away from the heat...too hot. Spread out and sleeping comfortably....just right! You are doing great! I think we all, as newbies, hover over the babies. Your common sense is all you need.

 

[SkyWarrior]

These are my first incubator chicks, so I'm understandably nervous. Woke up at 7 am (a very rare occasion for me) after checking on them at 1:30 am.

This morning, the temp stayed at 90F throughout the night and they looked really good. They were under the heat lamp, but not huddled.

This morning, another egg in the incubator pipped from the second clutch. I'm hoping for a few more,

but given this is my first time incubating eggs, I'm not expecting a large hatch.

 

[GrandmaAnn]

I only use the thermometer when I am setting up the brooder. Then, I take it out when I put the chicks in and judge by their behavior. I once had a thermometer break, so I don't have it in with the chicks any more.

 

[yzmike777]

Hahaha you are just like me! I have had my babies 4 a week and the first day I checked their temp a billion times! Making sure it was perfect, making sure they were all breathing, making sure they were eating, pooping, on and on and on hahaha!