Heat Light

[countrygirls]

Do chicks really need the heat lamp at 90 to 100 degrees? And then decreased by five degrees every week? That seems kinda crazy, I mean how did they do without electricity or did the chicks just not have a good survival rate?
Sorry if my question is silly, I am new to this

 

[KimberlyJ]

Before electricity they stayed under Mommy to keep warm.

The chicks do not need to be under the lamp all the time. The need a place to get out of the heat as well. My first batch of chicks came in July when it was 90* here, I didn't use the lamp much except at night. This batch has 40-50* nights and 60-70* days and even inside my house with no heat on, yes they need their heat lamp.

 

[countrygirls]

Thank you KimberlyJ.. I really need all the information I can get!!

 

[Luckytaz]

Most people used hens, but some had kerosene brooders.

 

[Cindy in PA]

My relatives raised them in the kitchen next to the wood stove.

 

[FlipFlopFarmer]

My grandma used the wood stove also, i use a light if i have just a couple of chicks inside, but if i hatch in the summer, i leave them in the bator longer then put em outside in a brooder with a low low watt bulb (40), in louisiana, it is plenty hot enough in summer.