Chick Light Requirements

[NoVAChick]

Hello,

What should I do with the light in the room my chicks are in? I have my chicken brooder area set up in an indoor room that has a typical ceiling light. It also has a window through which natural light can come in. They have a heat lamp with an infrared bulb that is always on. My question is in regards to the white ceiling light. Do I leave that light on 24/7, or only at night or not at all?

Any advice appreciated!

 

[NorthTexasWink]

My personal opinion follows. It's not gospel.

One of the reasons my family stopped using bulbs in brooders was the 24/7 lighting. Felt it wasn't good for the birds. Some folks say red light doesn't bother them, but they move around and eat all night, which they don't do if they have a dark night. It's not natural. We use seedling heat mats instead. Also less fire risk.

Having them grow up with the normal natural light cycles seems like a no-brainer to me. Certainly by the time they go into the coop, you'll want them acquainted with darkness.

 

[EricaCAL]

So the infrared bulbs are not good for chicks. They never learn light and dark cycles if they never have darkness. We bought a heating plate that they roost under like it was a warm mother hen so they can have natural cycles. Here is a link to the one I bought on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7U6BUJ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There a a few different ones but I liked this one the best from the reviews. It is a wise investment for your little ones! Once I turn off the lights in my bathroom at night they all go under their plate and go right to sleep and I dont hear a peep out of them until morning!

Plus those heat bulbs are a fire hazard.

 

[azygous]

In answer to your question, if it's at all possible to give your chicks dark at night, it will be much better for them than around-the-clock light.

Besides establishing good light/dark natural rhythms, chicks learn not to fear the dark, and this will be helpful when you need to transition them to the coop.

Eating around the clock isn't a particularly healthy lifestyle either, for humans or chicks. Their little bodies need the rest at night to process their food and nutrients and to grow.

Now there are great alternatives to electric light heat for brooders. One of the best and least expensive is the heating pad system. I highly recommend you check it out.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

My personal opinion follows. It's not gospel.

One of the reasons my family stopped using bulbs in brooders was the 24/7 lighting. Felt it wasn't good for the birds. Some folks say red light doesn't bother them, but they move around and eat all night, which they don't do if they have a dark night. It's not natural. We use seedling heat mats instead. Also less fire risk.

Having them grow up with the normal natural light cycles seems like a no-brainer to me. Certainly by the time they go into the coop, you'll want them acquainted with darkness.

In answer to your question, if it's at all possible to give your chicks dark at night, it will be much better for them than around-the-clock light.

Besides establishing good light/dark natural rhythms, chicks learn not to fear the dark, and this will be helpful when you need to transition them to the coop.

Eating around the clock isn't a particularly healthy lifestyle either, for humans or chicks. Their little bodies need the rest at night to process their food and nutrients and to grow.

Now there are great alternatives to electric light heat for brooders. One of the best and least expensive is the heating pad system. I highly recommend you check it out.

X2 to both these great posts. I'm another fan of non light based heat and natural day/night cycling

 

[1TurkenLover]

X2 to both these great posts. I'm another fan of non light based heat and natural day/night cycling

x3 I also use a Nigh Light