Magnolia7330
Songster
I added a dimmer cable this morning. It works very well and is much safer now.
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I've been keeping the lights off at night from day 1. They seem to find food and water fine.Does everyone use the Premiere 1 heat plate from 1 day chicks on with the lights out at night? I used this before but left a light on at night so they could get water and food when needed. I didn't want to have weak chicks. Does everyone leave the lights off at night from day old chicks?
Good post^^^Mine are out in a coop with a run and a window so they get fair warning of dark approaching and will load their crops before tucking in for the night. Then they just sleep until the sun rises. No biggie. I'm not sure how it works if you put them in a place without those cues, though. Maybe leave a small nightlight running so they aren't caught off guard when the lights shut off?
ETA: I have always started chicks outdoors. The current group is the first to have an electric hen (heating pad version but same idea) rather than a lamp. The lamp-reared chicks didn't grow faster and I don't think there is any benefit to 24/7 light. If anything, it's a stressor.
Thank you all! It makes sense. I'll turn off the light a couple of hours before dusk. Then they can prepare for the night filling up. I have windows in the room. So there is natural light. Just not a lot of light that goes in the brooder on the floor. But will be enough for last couple of hours. I did use a night light the last time at night for about a week.Good post^^^
When I brooding inside, usually a week before sanding out to coop, I turn off light at night.
Brooder room has big windows facing north, kinda dim during day tho so I use a white light,
but turn it off a few hours before sunset, so they get the gradual darkening that sends them to 'roost' by dark.
Nice videos...the one linked and the unpacking plate one.I use it from day 1 and they seem to love it! I have posted a video from under the heating plate - you can watch it here: http://www.chicktalks.com/2017/05/01/life-under-the-heating-plate/
There are 8 chicks that have all hatched within 12-36 hours. Look how they push their backs up against the plate - at night they either move to the back and lay down (where the plate is closer to the ground = warmer) or they stand up sleeping, touching the plate.
rgds Michael