Who has raised goslings at lower temps?

[hmbelk]

I have two Sebbies hatched March 28. I picked them up from the breeder Wed April 1. I have two. They are in a clear storage container like the ones you would store clothing or decorations in. They are inside our home away from drafts. Our home thermostat typically reads 69-72 right now (I'm in southeast GA).

I do not have a thermometer in the brooder but do have a heat lamp fixture with a 60 watt incandescent light bulb shining over one corner of the cage.

Goslings are very active drinking and eating. (I've raised chicks and ducks this same way without issue). My question is this...I'm fairly certain the brooder isn't at 90 degrees. So is that just a guide? It seems the brooder wouldn't be much above the house temp, except for maybe the corner closest to the heat source.

Having a lamp on really makes me nervous at night. If I could get away with turning it off without consequences I would prefer it. I read about people using wool dusters to brood chicks. Would that work in my case??

 

[hmbelk]

Wanted to add I just checked my brooder with a temp gun. It was 73-77 based on where I shot the laser. When I placed the beam on my goslings the temps on their backs read 85-87.