Heat lamps...

[Chicks Galore3]

2-3 weeks is too little to be out in the coop without a heat lamp - we were talking about grown chickens. I would keep the lamp on the chicks until they are fully feathered. Until the chicks are laying, you will not need to add supplemental light.

 

[france4862]

So keep them in brooder for 8 weeks? Or do I put together a intermediate coop?

 

[cafarmgirl]

They are usually fully feathered by about 5 weeks old. You would need a seriously big brooder to keep that many chicks in it until they are 8 weeks old. Many people put youngsters in their coop around 5 weeks, if it is very cold you can add supplemental heat at first and wean them off of it as they grow larger.

 

[bobbi-j]

You could put them in the coop now (as long as they'll be separated from any adult chickens you may have) and keep a heat lamp or two on them to make sure they're warm enough. Watch your chickens and you will know if they have enough heat. Crowding around the lamp = not warm enough. Scattering away from the lamp = too warm. Milling around, seeming content = just right. I never check temps anymore - just pay attention to how they're acting.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

You could put them in the coop now (as long as they'll be separated from any adult chickens you may have) and keep a heat lamp or two on them to make sure they're warm enough. Watch your chickens and you will know if they have enough heat. Crowding around the lamp = not warm enough. Scattering away from the lamp = too warm. Milling around, seeming content = just right. I never check temps anymore - just pay attention to how they're acting.

x2.

 

[france4862]

Yes I think I should split them up to give them more space they are growing fast.

 

[bygrace53]

How many weeks? Mine are now 7 and 6 weeks old. I'm still providing the heat at night.

 

[france4862]

Me too mine are 4 still in homade brooder reduce light during the day? All is well so far

 

[Paigettie]

So after much reading, it makes the most sense to not heat... So what to do if we are in the middle of winter and have been using a heat lamp? Wait until spring, or can I wean them off it now? (they are about 8 months

 

[Paigettie]

old and the temperature here is now in the teens at night and upper 30's in the day.)