TX Gulf Coast-lights on chicks?

[aladatrot]

Bear with me here, I haven't raised chicks in this kind of heat.

Usually I keep my day old chicks under a big brooder lamp positioned at one end of the brooder so they can cool off if needed. Well, we are regularly deep into the 90's every day, and I don't want to cook my Black Crested Whites when they get here at the end of the month. Do I need to kill the light during the daytime or leave it in the corner of the brooder like I do in cooler weather? My brooder is the base portion of a heavy plastic dog house. It holds heat remarkably well, I'm just concerned that it will roast my chickies with such a high ambient temp.

Cheers!
M

ps I thought the hatchery was sold out of Black Crested White Polish, but they have decided to do another run. The chicks will ship Aug 26th from Ideal hatchery. If anyone is looking for this type of chicken, they are the only hatchery I've found that isn't sold out till next year.

 

[Wynette]

It's a valid concern...I'm from ther upper midwest, so I can't speak personally to your situation. But, I would think that so long as they can get out from under the heat lamp, they should be fine...you can tell if they are too cold during the day, because they'll all be huddling together, trying to get underneath of each other. I would think at least for the first few days, they ought to have the lamp on 24/7 (assuming these are day-olds you'll be getting). Then, after a few days, just play it by ear. I don't even use a thermometer in my brooders - I let the chicks tell me if they are too cool or hot!

 

[aladatrot]

Great. I'll leave the light on 24 hours for the first few days and then play it by ear.

Cheers
M

 

[2txmedics]

Hello La porte, around the corner from me!!! Manvel texas here outside of Houston/Alvin area....welcome!!!! Im in the middle of hatching...first time ever...just heard pips and have shells cracked...excited here.....