I was excited to raise my Cornish Cross chicks but soon found myself puzzled when they kept piling up away from the heat plates. It was concerning to see them huddled in a corner of their brooder, despite having access to heat lamps and heat plates. After some research and trial and error, I found several reasons why my birds were avoiding the heat plates. In this article, I will discuss the common reasons why Cornish Cross birds pile up away from heat plates and how to address them.
Reason 1: Too Hot Under the Lamp
One of the most common reasons why Cornish Cross birds avoid heat plates is that it’s too hot under the lamp. This may seem counterintuitive as the heat lamp is supposed to provide warmth, but it’s essential to get the temperature just right. If the lamp is too close to the chicks, they can quickly become overheated and seek out cooler areas.
Solution: Raise the Lamp
To address this issue, you need to adjust the height of your heat lamp. Ideally, the temperature under the lamp should be around 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the age of the chicks. If you notice that your birds are avoiding the heat plates, try raising the lamp a few inches higher to reduce the heat intensity. Check the temperature with a thermometer to ensure that it’s at the optimal level.
Reason 2: Too Cold on the Side
While it’s important to have a warm area for the chicks to huddle, it’s equally important to have cooler areas where they can escape the heat. Without an adequate cool-down zone, your birds may pile up away from the heat plates to avoid overheating.
Solution: Create a Cool-down Zone
You can create a cool-down zone by placing the heat plates on one side of the brooder and leaving the other side cooler. This will give the chicks a choice to move towards or away from the heat plates, depending on their needs. You can also use a box or barrier to create a cooler area for the chicks to move to if they need to.
Reason 3: Not Enough Room to Get Away from the Heat
Another reason why Cornish Cross birds pile up away from the heat plates is that there isn’t enough room for them to spread out. Crowded brooders can cause stress and overheating, leading to chicks avoiding the heat plates.
Solution: Increase Space and Number of Heat Plates
To address this issue, ensure that your brooder is spacious enough for the number of chicks you have. As a rule of thumb, each bird needs at least two square feet of space. You can also add more heat plates to provide warmth evenly throughout the brooder. Ensure that the heat plates are evenly spaced to provide ample room for each bird to warm up.
Reason 4: The heat Plate Could Be Too Hot
Lastly, your heat plates could be too hot for your Cornish Cross birds. Overheating can cause stress, dehydration, and even death.
Solution: Check the Temperature of the Heat Plate
To address this issue, check the temperature of your heat plates. Ideally, they should be around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a thermometer to ensure that the temperature is just right. If you notice that the temperature is too high, adjust the height of the heat plate or reduce the wattage of the bulb.
| Reason | Solution |
|---|---|
| Too hot under the lamp | Raise the lamps higher to reduce the temperature |
| Not enough room to get away from the heat | Provide more space in the brooder to allow the birds to move away from the heat source |
| Heat plate could be too hot | Check the temperature of the heat plate and adjust as needed |
| Birds are too hot | Provide a place for the birds to escape the heat, such as a cooler area in the brooder |
| Inadequate ventilation | Ensure proper airflow in the brooder to maintain a comfortable temperature for the birds |
| Poor brooder design | Reevaluate the brooder design to ensure it allows for proper temperature control and adequate space for the birds |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are my Cornish cross chickens piling up away from the heat plates? A: There are several reasons why this might be happening, including the temperature being too hot, not enough room to get away from the heat, the heat plate being too hot, and poor brooder design.
Q: What can I do to reduce the temperature in the brooder? A: You can raise the lamps higher or provide a place for the birds to escape the heat, such as a cooler area in the brooder.
Q: How do I know if the heat plate is too hot? A: Use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the heat plate. If it is too hot, adjust it to a lower setting.
Q: How much space do I need to provide for my Cornish cross chickens? A: The recommended space per bird is about 1-2 square feet. Make sure there is enough room for the birds to move around comfortably and get away from the heat source if needed.
Q: How often should I check the temperature and ventilation in the brooder? A: It’s important to check the temperature and ventilation in the brooder several times a day to ensure that it’s at the appropriate level for your birds.
Q: Can poor brooder design cause my chickens to pile up away from the heat plates? A: Yes, poor brooder design can cause several problems, including inadequate temperature control and insufficient space for the birds. It’s important to evaluate your brooder design to ensure that it meets the needs of your Cornish cross chickens.
Q: What is the ideal temperature range for Cornish cross chickens? A: The ideal temperature range for Cornish cross chickens in the brooder is between 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit in the first week, decreasing by 5 degrees each week until they are fully feathered.
Conclusion
Cornish Cross birds may pile up away from heat plates due to several reasons, including being too hot under the lamp, too cold on the side, not having enough room to spread out, and heat plates being too hot. Addressing these issues will ensure that your chicks are healthy, happy, and warm. As a new meat bird owner, it’s essential to pay close attention to their behavior
