baby chicks an heat lamo

[LIChickens]

Welcome to BYC!

You will find a lot of good information here. Keep on asking questions and you will get many good answers.

You may also want to read the FAQ below

At 2-3 weeks, there is no reason to leave the light on at night if the temperature at night is around 85 F in the tank at night. Huddling may be a sign that they are cold.

 

[magickcat]

They don't huddle as such just in line with each other when i turned the light off i place the feather duster in the middle of the tank (usually in a corner)for them and I also cover the entire tank with a crotched blanket.
How old do they need to be before they are allowed outside on the grass and in a pen?? Would it harm them if we had a little play cage to put them in in the sun with the kids for say half an hour everyday weather permitting as of now ??
can anyone tell me how a rooster Cochin is in behaviour wise as I think 1 out of babies is a rooster would he change the temperament of the hens ? Or will he be placid with us also in wandering if i should keep him or exchange him for another hen ?? sorry for all my Questions just really want to be doing the right thing by these beautiful babies

 

[Pinkaboo]

Yes they will love the grass for half hour to hour
If its sunny, put out water if its very hot

The roo will be fine mine is such a gentleman
Gives all the food treat to his hens
He's a hen pecked roo!

 

[drumstick diva]

Just please keep an eye on the little guys to make sure they don't over heat. If you have a wire cover (they will be flying to the top soon)on your brooder they could still get heat from the lamp and would also have more air exchange.

 

[magickcat]

Thank you very much for all your suggestions and support I really appreciate it her is my email if anyone wishes to just mail me alternatively [email protected]
cheers From Aussie chick down under newbie mum of baby chicks an Roo

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!

The other posters have given you good advice. I myself used to use an infrared heat lamp, but changed to using an EcoGlow brooder after a while. The Ecoglow brooder is more energy efficient, produces no light, and gives the chicks a mother-like place to hide under.

Feel free to ask any other questions you have! We're all here to help.

 

[lovemy6hens]

Adequate ventilation is essential. In addition to taking care of ammonia & carbon dioxide buildup in the air, it helps with regulating temperature and humidity.

They will love being outside at that age. Be certain they're supervised and have access to water, even if they're outside only for few minutes. You'll know when they're ready to go back in.

 

[lovemy6hens]

can anyone tell me how a rooster Cochin is in behaviour wise as I think 1 out of babies is a rooster would he change the temperament of the hens ? Or will he be placid with us also in wandering if i should keep him or exchange him for another hen ?? sorry for all my Questions just really want to be doing the right thing by these beautiful babies

They're all different. If you don't want a rooster and the place you got them is willing to exchange, I would do that as soon as possible so the new baby isn't too much smaller than the others and less likely to be picked on. If you do exchange him, consider bringing home two babies instead of just one. I think it's much less stressful for new flock members to arrive with a friend. (That's the beginning of chicken math.)

EDIT: No apologies necessary. Please ask all the questions you can think of! The knowledge base here is great and the emotional support is a big part of why BYC is a great place to be.

 

[magickcat]

Hi all how is everyone I managed to get my chicks an infrared light what is the requirements or what are you all doing with your light (heat source) in regards to night time I've been turning mine off of a night time and putting it back on of a morning they seem to be doing fine like that however that wasn't with an infra red light.. atm I've just turned the light off as they were laying down wings a little apart and necks stretched right out so whether that was them being comfy im not sure i took it as a sign as being too hot ??? Would just like to hear some opinions on leaving the light on 24/7 or turning it off at night is a good idea ? Also my hubby is in the process of building them a bigger brooder so they will have more room to be moving around as they really don't have a lot of room in the tank i have noticed and atm the light is in the middle of the tank so they basically have no room to move away from it if they get too hot :/

 

[lovemy6hens]

They're comfortable and absolutely adorable when they sleep on their bellies, necks all stretched out.
If they can't move away from the heat, using a thermometer to monitor the temperature would be good. Check it often, as they can overheat quickly.