heat lamp

[swamperkk]

at what temp on the chicks should be with a heat lamp? with a 100 watt looks like around 105 temp,do i have to raise it up until 90-100 degrees? or just leave it alone,the chicks i guess like the warmth,but i dont want to cook them

 

[cnicho05]

Hello,

I've raised chicks for a number of years and never paid much consideration to heat lamps. I simple use the lower sized 100-120 watt lamp/bulb to heat one corner of my brooder box. I only use this for the first week or two before slowly removing it all together. Most people forget that when a hen raises her chicks they follow her around throughout the environment where they live. They walk around outside in temperatures ranging between 30*F - 100*F with no problems.

Since we are in late spring I would not worry about this aspect as much as others... From what it sounds like you shouldn't have any problems...

 

[farnorth]

at what temp on the chicks should be with a heat lamp? with a 100 watt looks like around 105 temp,do i have to raise it up until 90-100 degrees? or just leave it alone,the chicks i guess like the warmth,but i dont want to cook them

I would raise up til it was 90 - 100. Like the above poster I withdraw the heat rather quickly. I raise the light or lower the wattage of bulb every few days. By 2 to 2 1/2 weeks old I drop to a 60W bulb and only use it at night if the temps are cold and they are huddling for warmth.

With a hen I don't use a light unless it unexpectedly falls below freezing while chicks are under 2 weeks.

I have thirteen 2 to 3 week old chicks with a hen right now and they are running around all day in 55 to 65 degree brooder and they don't go under the hen much any more at all.


.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I use a 75 watt infra red lamp. Starting with 90-94 degrees for the first 7-10 days and raising it a little each week from there on. Yes the chicks do spend increasingly more time out and about when under a broody, but they are never far from her until they are around 4 weeks old. I introduce mine to the outside world at week 1 , just 20-30 minutes at first, then a little more each day. By week 4 they are outside all day and back under the heat lamp at night.
This article has plenty of helpful information.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/03/baby-chick-basics-what-you-need-to-know.html