Hi, I've read that the brooder itself should be kept 90-100 the first day for the baby chicks. But how about the room the brooder is in? Last year we kept our chicks in our basement, which is heated. This year, because we now have an indoor cat, we're keeping them in a little outbuilding that does have floorboard heaters. It's been pretty warm here (northern IL). I'm just wondering how warm the room needs to be. Can windows be left open if it's warm (high 70s, 80s)?
The outside temperature is not as important as what the temperature is in your brooder as long as you adjust accordingly. For example, our chick outbuilding can get really hot during the day so we have an air conditioner in it that keeps the temperature at 83 in the building during the day. I use a 60 watt bulb in the brooders during the day and then at night when the air conditioner is off and it is cooler, I put in a 100 watt bulb. If you are there during the day and can open the door to your building (or just leave it open during the day), there may not be a need to have an air conditioner. It just depends on several factors, but the main thing is make sure your brooders stay in the correct temperature range. I would recommend 90 to 95 degrees the first week.
My brooder is set up in a spare room in the house. No matter what the indoor Temp Ill adjust the heat lamp hieght to get the proper Temp. week 1-95 to 90 week 2-90 to 85 week 3-85 to 80 week 4-80 to 75 week 5-75 to 70 week 6 For me its time for the coop
