Light Cycle in Brooder?

Catastrophi

Chirping
Jan 31, 2023
12
53
52
Southeast Texas
I'm getting my first batch of chicks in a week. I have my brooder built and ready. I'll be using a brooder plate instead of a heat lamp, but the brooder will be situated in my uninsulated garage. Temperatures at night will be in the mid 50s here in Texas. The garage has no windows so will be dark. Is my plan to have a lamp for lighting turn on in the morning and turn off at night a good plan? I plan to have it on a timer to turn on at sunrise and a timer to turn off at sunset. Do they need a dim light at night?

Sorry newbie here and want to make sure I'm doing it right!
 
Agreed, it is great for them to start learning day & night with gradual light coming through a window in the morning and dimming as the sun sets at night. I did add a tiny string of battery cheistmas lights the first few days, just in case someone got hungry or pushed out from under the plate. After that I figured they would be able to stay under all night and not need to eat to gain strength so I stopped the extra string of lights. It barely added any light, just enough so it wasn’t pitch black.
 
With my very first few flocks I did same thing - garage with a lamp and a little nightlight. I don't remember why the nightlight, was it for me or them? Well they for sure don't need it and when you decide to not provide it anymore, they just chirp/cry for a bit when you shut it off. So based on fact that they really do need the complete dark to get a good rest and natural cycle, don't provide a nightlight at all from day 1. I also recall that with the nightlight they were still zooming and goofing around at bedtime but without it, they quieted right down under the hut/plate for a good sleep. Good for you for going with a heat plate. ENJOY!!
 
I'm getting my first batch of chicks in a week. I have my brooder built and ready. I'll be using a brooder plate instead of a heat lamp, but the brooder will be situated in my uninsulated garage. Temperatures at night will be in the mid 50s here in Texas. The garage has no windows so will be dark. Is my plan to have a lamp for lighting turn on in the morning and turn off at night a good plan? I plan to have it on a timer to turn on at sunrise and a timer to turn off at sunset. Do they need a dim light at night?

Sorry newbie here and want to make sure I'm doing it right!
Good question no light at night. I also provided chick grit after first week for them . I was surprised how much they are of it
 
One night I had the lights off but there are windows in there and the sun set around 6. I usually turn the lights off at 8 or 9. They were not happy with the earlier bedtime and got really loud. They also don’t like abrupt darkness and complain loudly.
How long did they complain loudly? Chickens often don't like change but they are also typically pretty adaptable. I anticipate if you are consistent they will quickly get over it.
 
It is pretty common the first time the chicks are in pure dark for them to freak out, say they are moved from a brooder to the coop. But they soon get over it and go to sleep, say 5 to 15 minutes. The second time it happens they are a lot less concerned. Very soon that is just the way it is, they adapted.
 

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