As my brroder I am using a dog kennel (vari-kennel type) with closed side and mesh front (card board keeping little heads out of the mesh). My heat lamps is pointing through the mesh and the themometer in the front of kennel has been consistantly reading 95-96. Some of the chicks are hanging out in the back or middle of the kennel. That is okay, right? If they get cold they will move towards the heat I am assuming. This is my first group of chicks and I am anxious about going to bed and leaving them "unsupervised". They are not outside, but in my formal dining room! ~ thanks heavens my husband is a patient man and loves me!
Sounds fine - it's best if there is an area directly heated by the lamp and an area away from it so they can move back if they get too hot. That way they can choose a spot depending on how much warmth they need. I don't stress too much over temps in the brooder - as long as I have a thermo in the 'hottest' part reading around 95, and plenty of room for them to move in and out of the heat, I don't worry about moving the heat source or raising it, etc.
Sounds fine, but remember you're going to want to start decreasing the temperature after the first week. So you'll be able to move your heat lamp further and further away I'm assuming?