Do chicks need a heat lamp ALL the time?

[banananutmuffin]

I plan to have my chicks (4 standard) in my heated mudroom with a lamp on them. But I'd like to sometimes move them into my living room during the day, just so it's more comfortable for us to watch them and handle them. Do I need to bring the heat lamp every time I bring the brooder into the living room? Or can they be away from the lamp for a while?

Also, I'd love to take one (whichever is friendliest) to my in-laws on Easter (so it people can oh and ah over it). At that point, the chicks will be about 12 days old. It's only a 3 mile drive, but we'll be at their house for about 3 hours (since we'll be eating dinner, easter egg hunt, etc). Can I heat a sock of rice in the microwave before we leave and then a couple of times at my in-laws to keep the chick warm? Or should I just scrap that as a bad idea?

 

[QualityPolish]

1. Chicks need it to be 95 degrees, for your 12 day old chicks, around 90. If they're in the sun obviously thats a possibly and if their cuddling with you, against your body collecting your heat then yes.
2. Taking just one chick, scratch that. I think it'd be stressful on the chick, especially with so many people holding it etc. yes the heat pack is a good idea but just one chick and alot of people...stressful.
QP

 

[Cattitude]

Our brooder house has two heatlamps on the two corners in the solid part, and the rest of the house is hardware cloth everywhere except the roof and is unheated. The chicks move around to the places where they are comfortable.

Same on taking just one chick. It would stress out. Three/four chicks would be better. You could always drive back home real quick and put them back with their clutch mates if they became too distressed.

 

[banananutmuffin]

So taking 3 or 4 chicks and a heat pack (heated at regular intervals) would be ok?

True, I could drive them home if they seem too distressed.

 

[QualityPolish]

Taking 3-4 would be okay

They can huddle together for a little extra heat and they'll be companied by each other. They should be okay but like Cattitude said, if they get too stressed take them back home.