how long do chicks need the heat lamp?

What sort of heating pad do you use?
Any sort that doesn't automatically shut off. Best way to brood chicks ever. There is no worrying about chicks being too hot or too cold. They self regulate, and they get used to night/day cycles which is impossible for chicks brooded with heat lamps. You can have a batch of chicks fully feathered and off heat by 3 to 4 weeks old.
 
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Do you keep at the low setting?...all mine are in the coop now but for future reference this is great
 
First, you make an adjustable frame for the pad to sit on. This is the most important part. It must be adjustable so you can raise or lower the height as the chicks grow, and it must be sturdy enough for the chicks to sit on top of. The frame also can not obstruct direct contact with the heating pad. A piece of left-over fencing material or hardware cloth works perfectly.
For day old chicks, you want the frame to be about 2 inches at it's highest point. The object of this brooding method is to mimic, as closely as possible, a broody hen. The chicks huddle up under the pad for quick, occasional warm ups throughout the day and at night, they retreat to the safety of their 'momma' heating pad. Makes coop training chicks a breeze, since they already know what to do when it gets dark. They already are used to night and day so it's not a terrifying new experience for them.
Anyways, spend some time each day observing them. If they are spending more time out of their heating pad cave, sitting on top of it constantly, or avoiding it entirely, it's set too warm. Lower the setting. By the end of 3 weeks, they will hardly be using it at it's lowest setting. It's incredibly simple, and the chicks feather out so much faster when they aren't constantly kept in a little oven of a brooder.



Two week old chicks, and their 'momma.'

Different group of chicks, only 48 hours old. Already heading out to explore.


For comparison, this is a broody hen with 5-day-old chicks. The temp that day was about 60*. Notice how they are all over the place, not constantly sitting under her, but still close enough to pop under her if they need to. It's not natural for chicks to be under heat 24 hours a day. The heating pad method allows chicks to choose how much warmth they need, and when they need it, just like they would if raised by a hen.
 
Wow, thank you for this info, I was wondering why my chick stopped sleeping when I put her to bed. She began roosting under the light & sleeping at 5 in the morning. I will use this method now to help her get used to night.
First, you make an adjustable frame for the pad to sit on. This is the most important part. It must be adjustable so you can raise or lower the height as the chicks grow, and it must be sturdy enough for the chicks to sit on top of. The frame also can not obstruct direct contact with the heating pad. A piece of left-over fencing material or hardware cloth works perfectly.
For day old chicks, you want the frame to be about 2 inches at it's highest point. The object of this brooding method is to mimic, as closely as possible, a broody hen. The chicks huddle up under the pad for quick, occasional warm ups throughout the day and at night, they retreat to the safety of their 'momma' heating pad. Makes coop training chicks a breeze, since they already know what to do when it gets dark. They already are used to night and day so it's not a terrifying new experience for them.
Anyways, spend some time each day observing them. If they are spending more time out of their heating pad cave, sitting on top of it constantly, or avoiding it entirely, it's set too warm. Lower the setting. By the end of 3 weeks, they will hardly be using it at it's lowest setting. It's incredibly simple, and the chicks feather out so much faster when they aren't constantly kept in a little oven of a brooder.



Two week old chicks, and their 'momma.'

Different group of chicks, only 48 hours old. Already heading out to explore.


For comparison, this is a broody hen with 5-day-old chicks. The temp that day was about 60*. Notice how they are all over the place, not constantly sitting under her, but still close enough to pop under her if they need to. It's not natural for chicks to be under heat 24 hours a day. The heating pad method allows chicks to choose how much warmth they need, and when they need it, just like they would if raised by a hen.
 
First, you make an adjustable frame for the pad to sit on. This is the most important part. It must be adjustable so you can raise or lower the height as the chicks grow, and it must be sturdy enough for the chicks to sit on top of. The frame also can not obstruct direct contact with the heating pad. A piece of left-over fencing material or hardware cloth works perfectly.
For day old chicks, you want the frame to be about 2 inches at it's highest point. The object of this brooding method is to mimic, as closely as possible, a broody hen. The chicks huddle up under the pad for quick, occasional warm ups throughout the day and at night, they retreat to the safety of their 'momma' heating pad. Makes coop training chicks a breeze, since they already know what to do when it gets dark. They already are used to night and day so it's not a terrifying new experience for them.
Anyways, spend some time each day observing them. If they are spending more time out of their heating pad cave, sitting on top of it constantly, or avoiding it entirely, it's set too warm. Lower the setting. By the end of 3 weeks, they will hardly be using it at it's lowest setting. It's incredibly simple, and the chicks feather out so much faster when they aren't constantly kept in a little oven of a brooder.



Two week old chicks, and their 'momma.'

Different group of chicks, only 48 hours old. Already heading out to explore.


For comparison, this is a broody hen with 5-day-old chicks. The temp that day was about 60*. Notice how they are all over the place, not constantly sitting under her, but still close enough to pop under her if they need to. It's not natural for chicks to be under heat 24 hours a day. The heating pad method allows chicks to choose how much warmth they need, and when they need it, just like they would if raised by a hen.
 
I often wondered how a mother hen can keep temperatures so constant. Plus at 3-4 weeks I'd think it's impossible for them to hide under mom..they adapt much better than artificial means can.. :thumbsup
 

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