Baby Leghorns

[tec718]

Well, I have had my Leghorn Chicks going on 6 weeks now. As much as I read about keeping their area at 95, then after 3 weeks drop it 5 each week after, but I have to tell you I was unable to do that. There were many times when a heat lamp went out, the temp dropped into the 50's, and their area was mostly in the 70's, I would say at least 50% of the time, but they did GREAT!!!. Even tonight the temp was in the mid 70's and they were outside running, eating and drinking water. I turn the heat lamps on inside the coops just before dark and one by one they head up into the coop for the night. I have been feeding them the recommended chick food as well as organic pellets and dried mealworms. They are fully feathered at this point and all doing well. We make it a point each night to sit in the run area with them, hand feeding them a treat of Live Mealworms and they love it. One super friendly, another getting there, but the other 4 are still a little shy, but will come up eventually and take a worm from our hand. I really enjoy doing this, its stress relief for me....lol I have two nesting areas, but currently keeping them contained to one, once they hit 16 weeks, I will open the other box for them. Veterans, How am I doing...lol ????

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Welcome to byc!! So glad you could join the Flock! Let me know if you need anything!

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Your doing great! At this age, you may want to consider crumbles, as they are easier to eat

 

[21hens-incharge]

I think you can go down to one heat lamp at night only if it's getting down near 50°F at night.

The 95° is just for the first week. It is reduced every week thereafter until it reaches where the brooder temp is the same as the outside temp. Then off it goes.

By 6 weeks they shouldn't be needing heat unless it is still cold where you are.

Soooooo where in the world are you?
What are your overnight lows?
How many chickies do you have?

If the temp drops at night and there are enough chicks they make a warm chick pile.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Your doing great! At this age, you may want to consider crumbles, as they are easier to eat

Good point!

They should be on chick crumbles not pellets and definitely not later pellets.

Layer pellets are for birds actively laying.

 

[debid]

At 6 weeks and fully feathered, they don't need ANY added heat and probably haven't for two weeks now. Time to put the lamp away.

And ditto the others who said they should be eating starter or all flock feed, not layer.

 

[WhoDatChick]

At 6 weeks and fully feathered, they don't need ANY added heat and probably haven't for two weeks now. Time to put the lamp away.

And ditto the others who said they should be eating starter or all flock feed, not layer.

Mine will be five weeks tomorrow.. and I moved them out to the big run in a large dog crate.. please tell me they’ll be okay.. I did not put heat.. and temps tonight will be 57F ... close to 80 tomorrow.. they have been outside just not in the big run.. and I was using the heat light at light but keeping far.. it was 30’s and 40’s the last few nights so I waited till it warmed up a bit.

 

[debid]

Mine will be five weeks tomorrow.. and I moved them out to the big run in a large dog crate.. please tell me they’ll be okay.. I did not put heat.. and temps tonight will be 57F ... close to 80 tomorrow.. they have been outside just not in the big run.. and I was using the heat light at light but keeping far.. it was 30’s and 40’s the last few nights so I waited till it warmed up a bit.

Did you give them protection from wind? If they're feathered up, they're ready for the cooler temperatures. But if they have nothing but wire around them, that is a problem as a breeze steals the heat trapped by their feathers.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Did you give them protection from wind? If they're feathered up, they're ready for the cooler temperatures. But if they have nothing but wire around them, that is a problem as a breeze steals the heat trapped by their feathers.

How’s this?

 

[WhoDatChick]

Well, I have had my Leghorn Chicks going on 6 weeks now. As much as I read about keeping their area at 95, then after 3 weeks drop it 5 each week after, but I have to tell you I was unable to do that. There were many times when a heat lamp went out, the temp dropped into the 50's, and their area was mostly in the 70's, I would say at least 50% of the time, but they did GREAT!!!. Even tonight the temp was in the mid 70's and they were outside running, eating and drinking water. I turn the heat lamps on inside the coops just before dark and one by one they head up into the coop for the night. I have been feeding them the recommended chick food as well as organic pellets and dried mealworms. They are fully feathered at this point and all doing well. We make it a point each night to sit in the run area with them, hand feeding them a treat of Live Mealworms and they love it. One super friendly, another getting there, but the other 4 are still a little shy, but will come up eventually and take a worm from our hand. I really enjoy doing this, its stress relief for me....lol I have two nesting areas, but currently keeping them contained to one, once they hit 16 weeks, I will open the other box for them. Veterans, How am I doing...lol ????

Sorry for high jacking a bit ... but I stared to worry