Hi, I built my meat chicken room in the barn today and will order the chicks in the morning. I have followed these threads all winter and have decided to follow the 12 on 12 off rule. Which part of the day is on and which is off.? Do you take the food at night? Also, will I need the heat lamps the whole time or will they only need it for the first 3 weeks or so? I live in central Idaho and it will still get cool at night until June. I should have the birds May 8th. Thanks in advance-
Take the feed away at night. After three weeks, they should be able to regulate their body temps pretty good, so you shouldn't need any additional heat- especially if they're going to be in "indoors."
I consider night the 12 off,but I don't take the food away.If it's dark they don't eat.If you had lights on them 24/7 then you'd have to take it away(but there is no need for lighting 24/7). You'll need a heat lamp on them til they feather out or until it is warm.I keep their feed away from the heat lamp so they don't use the lamp to eat under.Here in NY I get them April/May and keep heat on them for about 4 weeks then once their feathered good,I'll put them outside. Hope this helps. Will
For the first 5 days I give them access to food 24 hrs. Starting the 5th night, I take away the food at 7 pm and give it to them at 7 am each day, up until harvesting time. I have heat lamps on and have enough room that they can move to a cooler area if they get too warm. Watch their behavior. You know they're too warm if they are panting. Raise the heat lamps as they feather out. Depending on the temperature at night you may want to keep some heat on them. Make sure they always have water. They can and will die if they run out of water. Especially if they are too warm. Good luck.
