Temperature in brooder?

[ZaneyMama]

My chicks are 10 days old. The cheap thermometer included in my starter kit when I bought it and them broke, so now I don't have a thermometer. They seem very happy, they sleep spread out around the brooder, sometimes huddled with each other opposite the light and sometimes right under it.

I used my instant read digital meat thermometer yesterday and it only measured 78 degrees under the light!

How important is it to keep them at a precise temperature and lower it 5 degrees each week? Is that just a guideline?

It seems like if they were being raised by a hen, their temps would fluctuate as they searched for food and then went back under her for warmth.

Thanks,
Sarah
Boulder, CO

 

[bigstack]

Its really just a guide line. as long as they are not huddled more than not. they should be fine. Sounds like they are doing great! So are you! Congrats on the fuzzy Butts!

Good Luck and God Bless!

 

[paddock36]

How many watts is the bulb they are under? If they are cold they will get closer to the light and if too hot they will try to get away from it.

 

[ZaneyMama]

Paddock, it is a 250 watt red heat lamp bulb.

 

[Katy]

I don't use a thermometer in my brooders. I go by how the chicks are acting....that's a much better indicator of whether the temp is what they need or not.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:

Huddled under the lamp and peeping loudly, they're too cold. As far away from the light as possible and (sometimes) holding their little wings out and panting to cool off and they're too warm. You want to see them spread out around the brooder, sometimes under the heat, sometimes not. They do like to huddle to sleep, but it's not the same as cramming up against each other trying to stay warm.

 

[redrocketrooster]

Quote:

Huddled under the lamp and peeping loudly, they're too cold. As far away from the light as possible and (sometimes) holding their little wings out and panting to cool off and they're too warm. You want to see them spread out around the brooder, sometimes under the heat, sometimes not. They do like to huddle to sleep, but it's not the same as cramming up against each other trying to stay warm.

All chicks are different too, breed has some effect. So going by behavior is much better than a thermometer but I always have one in place JUST TO BE SURE.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:

Huddled under the lamp and peeping loudly, they're too cold. As far away from the light as possible and (sometimes) holding their little wings out and panting to cool off and they're too warm. You want to see them spread out around the brooder, sometimes under the heat, sometimes not. They do like to huddle to sleep, but it's not the same as cramming up against each other trying to stay warm.

All chicks are different too, breed has some effect. So going by behavior is much better than a thermometer but I always have one in place JUST TO BE SURE.

You are correct. My brahma chicks never tolerated the 90 to 95 rule, etc. Even from day one. They always preferred it about five degrees cooler.