Correct Brooding Temperature

Start brooder temperature at 95°F (35°C) at poult level during the first week. Use a 250W red heat lamp securely clamped above one end of the brooder, leaving a cooler zone at the opposite end. Reduce temperature by 5°F (about 3°C) per week until poults are fully feathered at 6-8 weeks.

Why It Works

Turkey poults cannot regulate body temperature for the first several weeks. A heat gradient lets them self-regulate by moving toward or away from the source. Red bulbs reduce pecking behavior and provide warmth without disrupting sleep cycles.

Tips

• Place a thermometer at poult height, not at the top of the brooder, for accurate readings
• Read poult behavior as the best thermometer: huddling means too cold, staying far away means too hot, spread evenly means correct
• Secure the heat lamp with a chain and clamp to prevent fires from falls
• Consider a radiant heat plate as a safer alternative to heat lamps