Thermometer placement?

[FlutterbyChicks]

Hi all (again),

So I bought two small thermometers to put in the brooder. Where exactly do I put them? Right on the pine shavings, under the light? Against the side of the brooder? I know the chicks are supposed to be the best indicator of temperature, but I'd like a general idea. I have two chicks right now, who tend to sleep next to each other. They sleep in all difference places in the brooder, from the edge of where the light shines down, to the other side of the brooder (it's about 4 feet long). I have the light all the way down on one end. They're not panting, and not cheeping like they're cold, so I assume they're good. But wanted to know the best place to put the thermometers.

TIA!

 

[WindyHillFarm]

Put one right on the shavings under the light where the chicks would be if they were lying there. Leave it for several minutes then come back and see what the temp is, adjust accordingly so it's 95 right under the light. After that you can move it to a more convenient spot and let the chicks be your guide. if they're off in the shade all the time, brooder is too hot. Cramming themselves in a heap under the light, too cool. Their needs often change really quickly over the course of a few days, especially if they're quick to feather. Best of luck!

 

[FlutterbyChicks]

Thanks so much. I put one right under the light. It seemed steady around 90 degrees for the first 30 minutes or so. Then gradually it kept going up and now it's around 105. But that was after leaving it all night. But if I move it right over on the outside area of the light, maybe 6 inches away, it drops down to 90 again. They do spend some time right under the light, other times on the perimeter, other times over on the mini roost I made that stretches from the middle down to the "cool" end. So I guess it's good. They can warm up if they want, and they can cool down if they want.

 

[WindyHillFarm]

Sounds perfect! That's what they would do if being raised by a mother hen...warm up, cool down.