Alternative to heat light ... Help!

[A1momof3]

I have 20 2 week old chicks. They are doing great and very playful. I haven't had any trouble with them so far but I'm concerned that they are up a lot at night and I'm thinking I need something that puts out heat but not light at night. I welcome any help!

 

[dheltzel]

Millions of chicks have been raised for decades with the lights on 24 hours a day. It lets them eat more and grow faster, even if it seems unnatural. So I wouldn't sweat it.

If you are set on this, get a ceramic heat emitter used for reptiles to replace the bulb. You might want to get a tabletop lamp dimmer as well to adjust the heat it puts out (and save electricity). Then add another light (maybe a compact floursecent) for daytime lighting and put that on a timer.

Seems like a lot of complication to me, but that's what I'd do if I wanted to have it dark at night.

 

[Sonya9]

I switched to a ceramic heat emitter because I wanted them to sleep at night too. Keeping them artificially awake all night eating and chirping may be great for factory farms that want to grow their chickens as fast as possible but that isn't my goal. I would rather have them sleep well at night and eat during the day and grow at a natural pace.

And yeah the dimmer cord makes life much easier! I am very glad I switched to the CHE. I could see the benefit of keeping newborn chicks under a red lamp for 2-3 days to encourage lots of eating and drinking in some that may be a bit weak. Also my chicks are growing super fast so I don't think the extra sleep slowed them down (but it might reduce their stress).

 

[dheltzel]

Woohoo, my plans are validated. Now, if I just weren't so cheap and lazy.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Where are you keeping their brooder? If its inside, and they were mine, I would just turn off the heat lamp at night. 20 2 week old chicks should be able to huddle together and keep warm just fine. I decided to use a red bulb for brooding this time (I've always used regular bulbs, left on 24/7, with no issues). My brooder is outside, and its cold out there, so I didn't think my normal 60 watt bulb was going to cut it. I've noticed, with the red bulb, they aren't really running around at night like they did with the regular bulb. Maybe you could try a dark colored bulb? They make them in blue and purple. I would think they'd still put out enough heat to keep the chicks happy, but leave it dark enough for them to sleep. And they're probably cheaper than a ceramic heat emitter.....just a thought. Good luck!

 

[A1momof3]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have seen the ceramic bulbs and I thought about those. I have used a red bulb from day one and it has worked great. I might go a head and try the ceramic bulb just to see how it effects them. I'm not ready to have them go with out it totally at night. I keep the house pretty cool at night. They might be just fine as they huddle together, I'm to scared to try it. LOL I'm thinking they will be ready to go out to the coop in a couple of weeks maybe 3 and I want them to be use to the night and day. Not sure why..... guess like with kids, I am ready for them to sleep through out the night. LOL Ya'll have been a big help! Thank you!!