Brooder Temperature Calculator
Brooder heat degrees and weeks left from chick age in weeks.
What it does
Chicks need falling warmth as feathers grow. Week old fluff wants near 95 F while feathered six week olds handle room air.
The tool above drops five degrees weekly. Two week olds want 90 F with 4 weeks of heat left. The metric match is 32 C.
Behavior beats thermometers. Huddled noisy chicks read cold, spread panting chicks read hot, with lamp height tuning either.
Week six ends heat. Fully feathered birds regulate alone, though cold snaps still earn shelter.
Drafts undo math. Still warm air at target beats windy degrees on paper.
How to use
- Pick imperial (F) or metric (C).
- Enter chick age in weeks.
- Read temperature first.
- Read behavior guide next.
- Read weeks of heat left.
Formula
- week
- Chick age in weeks.
Metric converts at (F - 32) x 5/9. Behavior reads the same both ways with heat off from week six.
Worked example
Example: 2 week old chicks
Imperial defaults: 2 week old chicks. These are also the default values, so the page opens on this answer.
- Chicks: 2 weeks old.
- Rule: 95 F minus 5 per week after week one.
- Temp: 95 - 5 x (2 - 1) = 90 F.
- Heat left: 6 - 2 = 4 weeks.
- Tool shows 90 F, Huddle = cold, panting = hot, 4 weeks of heat left.
Reference table
| Week | Temp | Heat left |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 95 F | 5 weeks |
| 2 | 90 F | 4 weeks |
| 4 | 80 F | 2 weeks |
| 6 | 70 F | No heat |
Limits
- Guide only. Drafts shift needs.
- Weak chicks need warmer starts.
- Outdoor brooders run cooler.
- Illness needs vet care.
Common mistakes
- One lamp height all six weeks.
- Drafty brooders at target temps.
- No thermometer, guessing by feel.
- Overheating panting chicks.
- Cold floor under warm air.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
Week 1?
95 - 5 x 0 = 95 F. Heat left is 6 - 1 = 5 weeks.
Week 4?
95 - 5 x 3 = 80 F. Heat left is 6 - 4 = 2 weeks.
Questions
Temp at week 2?
Subtract 5 F per week past week one from 95. Here 95 - 5 = 90 F.
Full schedule?
Start 95 F week one down to 70 F by week six, then heat off when feathered.
Read the chicks?
Huddled chirping chicks read cold, spread panting chicks read hot.
Adjust heat?
Lower lamps or smaller bulbs a little at a time. Big jumps chill chicks.
Drafts matter?
Yes. Drafts steal heat faster than thermometers show.
Does this treat illness?
No. Sick chicks need vet care.