At what age do you turn off heat lamp?

Did you ever get an answer on this?

sandela5 said:

Did you ever get an answer on this?

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It is at about 6 weeks once FULLY feathered. Leave the light available but in a way that the chicks can get away from it when they need to and you'll see them wean themselves off of the light. Just don't take the light away until they are fully feathered though since if you do and they catch a chill they won't be able to warm up.

My chicks are now 6 weeks so I am hoping that they are ready to have the heat lamp off even in the 40 degree nights. Is that true?

Are they fully feathered? If so, then they are ready. Just make sure you slowly introduce them to cooler temps instead of just going straight from warmth of the lamp to such chilly temperatures. That way they can acclimate themselves to the 40 degree weather.

I have 5 Pekin chicks here in Australia that are now 4 weeks old and mostly feathered out they have a 50W globe still at night but I have another lot hatching in a few days so want to get these guys out to their coop asap. I have hung a globe quite low in their Coop so they will have some warmth still at night as the nights here in Adelaide where I live get quite cold. Normally I put them out into their Coop about 6 weeks old by which time I have found homes for all of the boys as I don't keep Cockerels except one which I will be showing this year at all of the Shows here in SA and Interstate as he is stunning. As for putting them out just watch your little guys and they will let you know when they are ready to go out Good Luck With Them

lazy gardener said:

Guidelines are just what the new poultry keeper needs, to deal with the panic of raising babies, but as you gain experience and knowledge, you'll find your own comfort level. I'll be starting my chicks in the garage this year, (NEVER AGAIN IN THE HOUSE!) and moving them to an outdoor brooder/tractor/grow out coop as soon as the weather cooperates enough for me to move and convert my green house! Come on winter... give it up already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I live in Colorado and winter here doesn't go by any calendar. The nights go down to the teens and the wind is horriblehorr March and April are our two big months for snow . My chicks are 4 weeks old and they are growing fast .I don't run my heater above 64 in the house and I still use a heating lamp in the brooder. They will probably stay inside for another 3 to 4 weeks.

We often get 20's in April, and my chicks do great out in their grow out coop with their MHP brooder.

sandela5 said:

Did you ever get an answer on this?

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Yes thank you. I am so ready for them to go outside. Lol

I

bradandcas said:

i am just using a desk lamp with a 100w globe which seems to emit enough heat to keep them warm ( 3 chicks) as they were laying down individually and not hudeling together. Its also in a draft free environment in my carport but as gristar said they are live stock and will be heading to their home out the back as soon as they can hold their own temp a bit better.......

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use a 50 w globe and have always used a 50w globe once they are 3 weeks old I lower the wattage to 20/25w then they go outside however I have decided that I am tired of raising chickens in my spare room so from now on am going to raise them outside or atleast put them outside from 2 weeks with heat, Imtired of the smells even when you clean them out every morning like I do its a house after all not a chicken coop

gritsar said:

What mama kate said, plus...
They can go outside at anytime as long as your coop is draft free and predator proof and you are able to keep it at the temp. needed per their age. Not everybody broods chick in the house. I hate to sound like a broken record, but I think the fact that alot of people believe they have to be brooded in the house discourages them from owning or adding to their flock.
I didn't brood my chicks in house and won't brood any future chicks in the house. As much as we love our chooks they are livestock. In the good ol' days mama hen hatched the chicks in the coop and they were raised with her as part of the flock.

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yes but when mama raised them they had mama to keep them warm underneath her