Temp drop in brooder

[fours2many]

Well, yesterday my husband and daughter made a new brooder for the 5 day old chicks and ducks. The temp went up to 102, right under the light. So we put in a lower watt bulb. I guess it wasn't enough to keep the temp up over night. I went to the garage this am and everyone was huddled up on top of each other. Even when I moved the light to see the temp, they didn't move. I saw the temp said, 77 degrees! I quickly put the higher watt light back in and covered the top as best I could, just to get the temp back up. It is now at 80 degrees. They are still huddled. I am sure it will take a little, but the temp should go back up. I didn't think of the temp change at night. I feel so awful. Do you think they will be ok? Is there anything I can do to help them through this?

 

[Backyard Hencam]

I would get them warm as quickly as possible. Bring them indoors if you can. Chicks need to be at a temperature in the 90s at that age. I'm sorry this happened to your chicks. I tell people to test their brooders for a few days before they bring home the chicks. We raise and lower the lamp as needed to get the temperature stable. Good luck!

 

[Bigfatchicken]

Everything will be fine I wouldnt worry to much just put the light by them and if they get to warm they will move away

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Just wondering how the chicks are doing. Are they moving around?

 

[abanjaf]

Besides the fact that you need to IMMEDIATELY warm them back up to temperature, they should be fine. If the temp in the brooder is 102 throughout the whole area, then there is reason for concern for such a high temp. As long as the brooder has enough room for them to move away to other, cooler areas of the brooder, having a temp of 102 directly under the light should be fine (when first placing chicks in the brooder, I will check temps directly under the lamp and also in the farthest areas away from the light to know where my temps are. Other than that, I never check it again and have never lost a chick). It is amazing that the chicks know how to regulate themselves and will move under and away from the light as needed. I will turn down/dim the light slightly each week (without checking the temp). You'll know if you turned it down too much by the huddling, but honestly I've never had it happen I use a light made for setting atop reptile cages that has a lovely round dimmer switch on it for adjusting the temp. Works like a charm. If I were you, I'd prob bring the babies inside the house until they are active and feeling fine again and your light has gotten back up to temp. They should be fine, but keep us posted!

 

[fours2many]

Ok...chicks are running and eating again. They seem ok. Will they get sick? Should I watch for anything?

I am so glad they are moving around now. I never thought that the temp in the garage would lower the temp in the brooder. I just figured the 90 degree temp, around 9pm, would be the temp it would be, but here in SW Florida, we have been having lows around 50...I guess that was just too much for the bulb.

I feel so awful about this. My daughter hasn't left the garage. She is watching each one...Making sure nothing is wrong with them. Poor babies!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

They should recover OK but watch out for pasty butt. I've heard that stress like this can cause it. That is really the only problem I would expect and that is not guaranteed to happen.

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Us "mother hens" are relieved that those little tykes are running around again. Just know that 90 degrees right under the light in the daytime may not be warm enough at night. When the sun goes down it will get cooler. Lamps are not a science. They need to be monitored. I like the dimmer switch idea that abanjaf mentioned.
You'll probably know right away if a chick is weakened by this experience. Thanks for keeping us updated. Now, maybe, I can concentrate on what I need to get done today!