too hot for chicks outside?

[embkm]

I have 29 eggs happily growing in the incubator. They are due to hatch on the 8th. I was planning on putting them straight out to the brooder. The brooder is outside. It worked fine in the spring when I was trying to keep the chicks warm, but now it's in the 90's- sometimes closer to 100*. My friend says this just means I won't need a heat lamp except for a week or 2 just at night, but I am a little worried about them getting TOO hot. Should I put an ice bottle in with them like I do the older chickens? Any suggestions?

 

[Judy]

They should be fine, as long as the brooder is in a fully shaded and very well ventilated area. Make sure it is no hotter in the bottom of the brooder than outdoors. You might end up making a side or two of it out of wire after a week or two.

 

[embkm]

The brooder is basically a wood box with a hinged lid and ventilation holes. It also has a door that can be opened to a small seperate wire run area.

So if I leave the door open to where they can have access to the run area and put the whole thing in the shade, do you think they'll be ok? Should I put ice in the run section for if they need it? Or should I wait until they are older and have all their feathers before the ice bottles?