chick temperature - Page 2

I had my heat lamp all the way to the ceiling before my chicks got comfortable. At 3 weeks old they are in an empty coop at night. I still turn the lamp on about 10:00pm and off at 6:00am. Im not real sure they need it then. The are outside all day, but its very warm here during the day. This weekend they will be 4 weeks old. Im taking the lamp out of the coop. Let them get used to natural light cycles.

Just to update, I did decide to unplug the lamp today.  It was about 77 in the house this morning (62 outside), and warmer in the garage.  Today's high was around 80 -- comfortably warm for the girls at 2 weeks -- and by the time I came home at 6 PM they were in their usual sort of comfortably spaced arrangement when I put the light back on.

(Hilariously, I don't actually OWN any incandescent bulbs anymore!  Everything I've got at this point other than the brooder lamp is CFL.  Whoops.)

Hi, I need to jump into this post  here, I was going to start a new thread, but you all are answering my concerns about the temp.  Guess I am looking for additional reassurance here though.

I have 9 chicks, now 10 - 12 days old.  I received them just a couple days ago.  The brooder box we set up has sides a tad higher and we put a screen on the top to keep them from hopping out, maybe I don't need to concern with that yet.

We can reach a temp about 80 degrees.  I was concerned that was too low, but I think their behavior seems okay.  They do sleep a lot still.  I didn't know if the lower temp (as opposed to being at 85 - 90) would slow their growth? Maybe that sounds goofy.  They are feathered out on their wings.  Some have feathers on their back/tail.  many to not yet.

It is colder today and our box is in our garage. (We are in Northern Illinois)

They do tend to run around.  They don't sleep huddled, but do sprawl upon one another here and there.  So I truly think I am okay.

Should they be running around all day though?  Sleeping often is okay?  Just like a baby?

Aside from huddling.. are there other signs of cold chicks?

We had a little batch 2 years ago, but I just don't remember!

Smaller chicks like to sleep lots. So don't worry. (Just look at my avatar - just hatched and already at it!)

If they were cold they would've huddled together. I've had a chick one day who's mom wouldn't sit still and keep it warm. It found a sunny spot and sat there puffed up, looking very sorry for itself. It was obviously freezing and unhappy. (I went and picked it up, warmed it up an returned it to mom later)

I don't think low temperatures would affect their growth rate...