Worried about chicks not going under heat plate

[SaMable]

Hi Everyone,
I have one week old coturnix chicks that have been under an infrared heat lamp in their brooder since hatching. This afternoon I switched the lamp for an eco glow heat plate. Some of the 14 are going under but some are just standing next to it. I’m trying to coax them under but they come right back out. Right now they only have access to the heat plate and several inches around it. I put a piece of cardboard inside the brooder to corral them next to the warmth and so they can’t venture off too far.

One of the main reasons I wanted to stop using the lamp is that they were up all night jumping around the brooder and not really sleeping much. I’m sleeping near the brooder and also not getting enough sleep.

My question is: Will they figure out that they need to huddle up under the heat plate before they get chilled and die? Will they act like they are in distress like baby chickens do when they are too cold?

I appreciate any input! Thank you.
Samantha

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

So I’ve never raised quail but I recently switched from a heat lamp to a heat plate for chicks and I had to lower one side a lot before they would get under it. So the whole plate was tilted.

 

[Nabiki]

At a week old, chicks are capable of deciding what temperature is comfortable for them. If they aren't going under the heat plate, it may be too warm for them under there. If they aren't showing signs of being cold, let them choose their own comfort zone.

 

[catesquire]

They'll figure it out, no worries. If any of them are screaming outside the plate, just tuck them back under until they get it. Otherwise like Nabiki said, they'll go in and out as they will.

As far as distress signs: if they're underneath and making a ton of noise, lower an end a little so any colder chicks can snuggle up closer. If there's only quiet peeps or silence, they're warm. I always lift up the plate in the morning just to make sure there aren't any issues underneath (aka checking for any failure to thrive chicks.)

 

[Susan Skylark]

They aren’t bright but they can thermoregulate better than my teenager at that age (it is thirty below, you need a coat!). I actually pull the heat entirely by 2 weeks (70 degree basement), they sulk for a day but do just fine!