Temp in brooder?

[hoosiersphynx]

I just got some chicks today. I did notice that they were all over by the food and water so I moved the light up and up and up. I have an oral thermometer that I placed on the bedding and it reads 101.5 is this reading right?
Thanks
Rebecca

 

[briteday]

It's probably correct. But for a few bucks you can stop in at a local pet store and get a cheap thermometer. I have one that is meant to be put on a reptile cage or aquarium and gives 5 degree increments. And I think it was $2.

 

[hoosiersphynx]

Ok I have now gotten the temp down to 99.3. Is this an ok temp. I have been reading and have seen some sites say 95-100 or 90-95? They are sleeping right under the light now but not huddled up. I was planning on getting a better thermometer when I picked them up but forgot to. I almost walked out without the bedding for them.
Thanks For your help!
Rebecca

 

[cmom]

I keep my brooder between 90 and 95 degrees the first week and decrease the temp 5 degrees per week thereafter. Also i put a wireless digital thermometer with an alarm in the brooder. I set the temp on the alarm so if it gets below whatever I set the alarm for the alarm will sound. I have had the alarm go off and when I went out to the barn to check on the chicks their lamp was off. The cord to their lamp was plug into a ground fault electric outlet and it tripped for some reason and shut off. I reset it and all was ok. Thankfully the alarm sounded. I work the graveyard shift and luckily it happened on one of my nights off. That night the temperature was forcasted to be in the mid to upper 20's. Naturally it would have to happen on one of the coldest nights. I use the thermometer because the brooder is in an unheated barn.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

deleted

 

[txchickie]

Quote:
Same. I have not a clue what the temp is or has ever been in any of my brooders. The chicks will tell you if they are comfortable or not!