Brooder box lighting question

[gavingraham]

Hi All,

I'm about to take ownership of a small number of 4 day old chicks. Do I turn off their heat lamp at night, or should it be left on 24/7?

 

[mrslb333]

Leave it on 24/7

Congrats on your new babies

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
X2.

They need supplemental heat for the first five to eight weeks, unless the ambient temperature - day AND night - equals the temp they need as they grow.

First 3 days or so, 95 degrees. Remainder of the first week, 90-95 degrees.
Second week: 85-90 degrees.
Third week: 80-85 degrees.
Fourth week: 75-80 degrees.
Fifth week: 70-75 degrees.
Sixth week: 65-70 degrees.
Right about here, I start turning the lamp off during the day if the daytime temps are within that margin.
Seventh week: 60-65 degrees.
Eighth week: 55-60 degrees.

After that, they are usually fully feathered and can take lower temperatures at night.