Can I turn off the heat lamp during the day now?

[JNorth]

I've noticed my 3.5 week old chicks have been spending the majority of their day outside of the heat lamp. They roost in the part of the brooder that is well outside the heat. They do, however, LOVE to sit in the sunlight. Is it safe to say that I can go turn the lamp off during the day? I was thinking of putting it on a timer...

 

[Fred's Hens]

Perhaps, but I prefer to step down the wattage. If you started with a 250 watt lamp, perhaps a 125 watt or a 100 watt would suffice for their needs. As we acclimate our chicks to life without a heat lamp, reducing wattage along the way accomplishes that well and save our electric bill at the same time.


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[Spongegirl]

Hi. I think the temp of the brooder is supposed to lower 5 degrees each week of life. So if they are not walking under it or even sleeping under it, the lamp is too close. Maybe. My experience is very limited though.

 

[henless]

I have a heat plate instead of a lamp. On warmer days, say 60 and above, I have been turning off my heat plate and turning it back on at night. They don't get on it much during the day, except these colder, windier days we've had recently.