Do I need a heat lamp for week old chicks in the garage in Phoenix, AZ

[Dollhoney]

Just got my first batch of chicks today from the feed store. I only have 3 and they are about a week old...a RIR, BR, and Americana. I am keeping them in my garage in a plastic tote for a brooder. The feed store suggested a heat lamp with 100 watt light rather than the standard 250 light because it is so hot here. I've already had to move the light up pretty high because the little girls were panting. Their metal feeder tray even got hot. Aside from night-time when the temps will cool off, is it really necessary to have the lamp on them if the temp in the garage is 90 degrees or plus?

When I moved the light upwards and opened the garage door a bit for some fresh air, they seemed fine. The feeder tray returned to normal temp and the girls have been actively eating, drinking, pooping, and sleeping.

So let me know about the lamp. Thanks!

 

[alicefelldown]

This is where common sense trumps "the rules".

I'd keep the lamp off to the side (instead of the middle), and high enough that they aren't panting. Esp. at night - just in case. They can huddle under it if they want or they can go hang out in the cooler corner.

Is is possible to leave any door open for fresh air without risking predators?

 

[Sock Puppet]

Quote:
Yes, I agree with what Alice said, put it to the side. If they need it they will stay under it.

Also welcome to BYC

There is also an AZ Thread if you are interested.

 

[cluckcluck42]

Great post alice, love the diagram.

 

[rancher hicks]

One thing I like to do is tape a thermometer to the side of the brooder at chick level. This lets me monitor the temp. So even though the "rules" say a 250 watt bulb I may use a 60watt or what ever wattage it takes to give me the correct temp. Plus one thing you should always do is take your cue from the chicks. This last batch must have been right on, cuz they were the most quiet bunch I've had.

All the best'
Rancher

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I agree with putting the light and thermometer at one end. If the need the heat they can go to it.

 

[Dollhoney]

Thank you for all the advice and the nice warm welcome! I will get a thermometer to measure the temperature. But I'm glad we did the right thing by raising the lamp higher and opening the door a bit for fresh air. BTW, we named our girls "Ginger" (the red), "Freckles" (the BR), and "Fancy" (the Americana). They are so cute!

 

[alicefelldown]

Glad to have you!

Before you get pounced on - if you got those chicks from a feed store / hatchery then your "americana" is actually an Easter Egger. Not to worry - Easter Eggers (EEs) can be even more exciting than a pure Ameraucana/Arucana since you can get such a rainbow of eggs! My EEs are my favorite girls, so inquisitive and friendly compared to my other pure breeds.

As a rule of thumb - if it comes from a feed store or hatchery it's an EE. True/Pure Ameraucanas (no i) tend to come from backyard breeders who adhere to the standard.

Here's one of my fave pics of EE eggs, from fellow BYC member CottageGarden:

http://www.apa-abayouthprogramsite.org/Edu_Material/Easter Eggers vs.pdf :

The EASTER EGGER OR AMERICANA as people like to call them are actually a mish-mash of mixed breeds, with definitely some of the blue laying, lethal gene of the Araucana or Ameraucana mixed in. This is what causes them to lay eggs of several different colors. The eggs can be anywhere from light tan, dark tan, blue, pinkish or even a pale yellow.

These chickens are actually very pretty, with a mix of color in their feathers and they are often found in the backyard flock that farmers use for egg layers. Of course with all of the beautiful colors they became known as the Easter Eggers because they look like eggs we color for Easter.

Being these Easter Eggers are a cross breed type of chicken their feathers can be as colorful as a painting with every color imaginable on one bird, whereby the two standard breeds have very definite colors indicative of their particular breeds. The AMERAUCANA and the ARAUCANA are both fancy purebred breeds that are listed in the American Standard of Perfection published by the American Poultry Association and the Bantam Standard that is published by the American Bantam Association.

The EASTER EGGER/AMERICANA is a cross breed that hatcheries sell to fill the need of the hobby farmer that wants a colorful backyard flock and beautiful eggs. If you don’t wish to show your birds, the Easter Egger is the perfect bird for you.​

 

[Dollhoney]

Wow, thank you for the info about the Easter Egger! The sign did say that they would lay blue, green, and pink eggs. She is an adorable chick and has the most personality of the 3 that I got.

 

[rufus]

Actually, when we used to get 25 chicks at a time we just put them out into the tractor. At night they would huddle in a box at the end of the tractor. They kept themselves warm.

Now that we have less chicks, we have a porcelain light fixture screwed to a board. It is wired up to the extension cord. Then we put a terra cotta pot upside down over the light. Use a 60 watt or less bulb. The pot holds the heat, but never gets real hot. Excess heat is vented through the drainage hole. The chicks can move closer to it if it is cold, and away from it if it is too hot.

The extension cord is plugged into an appliance timer, just in case we forget or don't make it home on time.

If you are using a plastic tote, don't set it directly on the concrete floor. Concrete will suck the heat out of it. Place the tote on a couple of telephone books.

Good luck,

Rufus