Baby chicks- do they need light at night

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum! Glad you joined!

I'll see tomorrow night whether they'll need the light again or they're feeling safe in their new home?

I have not read this old thread but I'll address the peeping. Chickens can have problems with change. Going from daylight to dark can be a big change if they have never been through it. It is pretty common for them to get excited the first time. But chickens are also adaptable. They pretty soon get used to a change.

The first time you turn the light out they may peep for 10 to 15 minutes, then they typically go to sleep. The second time they might peep for 5 minutes, if at all. After that they typically just go to sleep. Each chick has its own personality so you may see some differences but this is pretty typical.

At some point they will need to learn. You can teach them now or put it off.

 

[rosemarythyme]

So I have just brought my first chooks home (YAY) and have a heating globe - not light. They 10:30pm they were chirping way too loudly, would be quiet for a bit and then start chirping like they were in danger. I went and checked they were warm enough and then put on a lamp for a night light. I am now back in bed and the chirping has almost stopped completely. I'll see tomorrow night whether they'll need the light again or they're feeling safe in their new home?

They don't "need light." But if they don't have a natural day to night cycle where light gradually dims or brightens (i.e. sunlight through a window at dusk, versus you turning off a light switch) the sudden change is startling. So that is upsetting to them (plus, they're in a new home, and chickens hate change).

The only thing I check for the first few days is that the chicks are all under the heat source once it's actually dark, as in that case the cry for help is warranted as they might otherwise not be able to find it. Otherwise I let them cry.

Because you added light make sure food and water is available around the clock, as the light will keep them up.