Heating my broodies

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Hungarylife

Hungarylife

In the Brooder
5 Years
Jun 9, 2014
67
2
33
Do I need to leave the heat lamp on my 3 day old chicks 24/7?

It seems awfully bright in their box.

They are in the house at the moment and it is not cold.
 
Hi,

It's my understanding, and please verify this within the raising chicks thread in The Learning Center, as well as other posters... your newborn chicks definitely need to start out at 100 degrees 24/7 for their first week and then they can be dropped by roughly 5 degrees for /each week after that...24/7 until they are fully feathered, usually between 6-8 weeks (I believe).

So, short answer, yes they do. If the light is bothering anyone you can switch it out for the lights at the pet store usually for reptiles. They come in red and bluish black. There are also ceramic heaters out there.

Hope this helps... Learning Center will answer that and probably anything else you may wonder about.
 
Last edited:
I started my day-old chicks out at 95 the first week, then lowered the temp 5 degrees each succeeding week. I don't know what the temps are where you live right now, but when 'your' temps coincide with what you're running for 'them' you can quit with the heat lamp. Personally, I think 100 degrees is waaaay too hot even for new chicks.
 
Normal body temperature of chickens is 102-103F, so 100 degrees is ok with new born chicks. Chickens can not regulate their body temperature until they are around five weeks or so, depending on how fast they feather out. You should have at least 18 inches from the 'red' heat lamp and the floor of your brooder. Reducing the temperature 5 degrees a week is per normal practice. Keep in mind enough space for your birds to move away from the heat if they feel a tad warm.

Best to you and your birds,'

RJ
 

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