Where to measure brooder temperature

[ButtonBag]

I've got a plastic tote set up with black rubber non-slip mat in the bottom and a ceramic 50W bulb. The problem is, when I leave the thermometer probe on the floor, it measures a good 10°C (about 20°F) higher than when leaving it propped up just barely above the ground so it only measures the air. No chicks have hatched yet so I can't get them to help me! Which measurement should I be going off of?

On a side note my button quail eggs are due to hatch tomorrow but I haven't seen any sign of movement at all, even when recording time-lapses overnight. Is that normal?

 

[Nabiki]

As long as you have a warm side and a cool side, it's okay if the warm side is on the high side. The chicks will move to where they're comfortable. The chicks are also more reliable than a thermometer for telling you if they're comfortable or not.

If they're piling on each other and won't stand still, they're cold. If they're sprawled out and panting, they're hot.