Do 3 wk old chicks really need the heat lamp?

[shandiane78]

My chicks are indoors, so temps in here are usually around 65-68 degrees. They don't act cold if I take the lamp away, so is it ok? I thought it might be good to get them on a normal sleep schedule. The lamp keeps them active at night, and of course theyc rash for naps during the day. What do you think? Is there any reason they can't be without it at this point?

Thanks,
Shannon

 

[greathorse]

In theory they should still be at around 80 degrees. If you remove the light for a short time they will still be comfortable. If you watch chicks with a broody they hang out for quite some time in cooler temps but when they begin to chill they get under her to warm up and then they roam again. They will get noisy if they get chilled so you will know. I think another week with the light being lower wattage or higher would be a good idea. They will let you know if they are not comfortable

 

[Illia]

I always have a heat lamp available for them to be under, even at 7 weeks of age. It is mainly because it doesn't get all that warm out here until about June, and our cockerels tend to feather in later. I don't wean them entirely off the lamp until everyone is entirely feathered in.

They can still venture off where ever, but at night there's a lamp over them.

 

[shandiane78]

Hmm, so far so good. They seem to be sleeping comfortably. But now I wonder if I should switch it on before bed just in case. It just feels wrong to throw their natural schedule off so much, but I sure don't want them to get cold. Hmmmm....

 

[ZooMummzy]

All my chicks are inside too so once they have most of their feathers, about 3-4 weeks, I put a 100 watt bulb in the lamp and leave it at that until they are 8 weeks. That really seems to be enough for them. They sleep barely under the light at night and seem active enough during the day that I know the temp is right. I have never monitored the temp on my chicks even day old ones. I go by if they are under the light and not moving a lot, they are too cold. If they are active, they are just right. I've never had a problem using that method in the house.

My 8 week olds have a 60 watt lamp on them but that is only because they are big babies

 

[Kittymomma]

I just moved mine outside, they're 3 1/2 weeks old so about the same as yours. I started turning the lamp (100W) off during the day because they were hanging around the sides of the brooder away from the lamp. I have it back on now that they are in the outside brooder, but it was too much for them at 3 weeks old when they were inside.

I mostly go by what the chicks do, if they seem comfortable with it off and are wandering around making happy chirps, not all hudled up together making distressed sounds I think you'll be fine with the lamp off.

 

[scootermom]

My chickens are afraid of the dark! If I turn off the heat lamp they cheep like crazy, and I don't want to swap out for a 100 or 60 watt white light from the red heat bulb and make things worse. They are 4 weeks old and it's up to 60 degrees plus at night here in So Cal.

 

[Silkiefan]

I don't know if anyone is going to agree with my methods but here's what I do: because my chicks are in the house, I keep the heat lamp on them for a couple weeks or so. The regulated temp is needed, and I know they'll be warm enough with it on all the time. However, I honestly feel that every living thing needs night time... everybody needs a regulated schedule of light and dark... so, after a couple weeks, I bring in a small space heater. I set it on a low setting ( if I can stand to stay in front of it for a looooong period of time without feeling too hot, it's probably ok for the chicks) It freaks them out to have sudden darkness, so I begin turning lights of gradually - heater on, heat lamp off, then house lights gradually - I know, I baby them, but I don't want to cause too much stress... they freak out for a while until they get used to dark-time. Getting a good nights rest seems to be good for them, they wake calmer and they're easier to handle. I GET SLEEP THIS WAY TOO!
PS... in about 6 weeks (once its warmed up at night) they'll go outside full time. I start introducing them to dirt and grass and good ole Sunshine right away though...

 

[pdsavage]

You can buy ceramic bulbs that throw off heat but no light...

 

[chkinut]

most people probably won't agree with what i did with my 9 chicks....but i started turning off the lamp during the day when they were only 10 days old and they were fine. they seemed too hot with the lamp anyway, and i had it raised pretty high. so then, after they were fine with that, i turned it off at night and we keep it around 75 in the house at night. they did great....cheeped a bit the 1st night, but not too much cuz i'd been keeping the lamp off during the day and u know how it gradually gets darker with the sun going down.....so they didn't really notice. then, at 2 weeks, they were outside full-time. lastnight was their 2nd night in the coop with no lamp. it gets into the 50's or 60's here at night. they've been doing great! no problems with any of them. and they are LOVIN' the outdoor life! i just make sure to close the coop door around 8pm....it's a really small coop.....3'x4'....(and no, i'm not keeping all 9 chicks.....)