Heatlamp Effect Eating?

[momma chickie]

So these 2 chicks that I have that don't seem to be all that interested in chick food...I watch them pecking and scratching...eating just enough to put a little bit the crop. I am wondering if having light on all the time (I cover cage part way at night so they can sleep but they are up and down all night eating) and the frequent little meals is keeping them from feeling the need to fill up?
I have a chick heating pad so I coukd turn off the light at night but I am concerned because their crops are usually empty a few hours after eating...woukd it hurt them to go overnight and get really empty?

 

[AltonaAcres]

How old are they? Very young chicks are still getting all the energy they need from the yolk they recently absorbed, so don't eat for up to 24 hours.

 

[momma chickie]

These chicks Hatched on Jun 3rd...so they are not new babies...

 

[AltonaAcres]

Hmmmm, sometimes you just don't notice. They may be eating while you're gone. Is there poop or scratch marks in the feeder like they've been spending time and pecking around in the food?

 

[momma chickie]

There is both...but I never see a full crop like my other chicks...I mean NEVER a full crop...most of the time it is only about the size pinto bean...
So should I turn the light off and let them get really hungry over night and see how they eat in the morning?

 

[Chickassan]

They eat much less if they are hot so try lowering the temperature

 

[rosemarythyme]

I believe animals should have a natural night/day cycle if possible, so since you're using a heat pad, there's no reason to have a light on around the clock. If you're brooding somewhere that there's no natural light, then turn the light on for day, turn it off at night.

I brood outdoors from the start. Even 2-3 day old chicks instinctively know to go to bed when it's dark, and won't eat or drink until there's enough light for them to see the next morning.

 

[momma chickie]

So even if they don't have a full crop, set them to bed?

 

[rosemarythyme]

So even if they don't have a full crop, set them to bed?

Absolutely. When it's time for bed, it's time for bed. They can eat tomorrow. They should be plenty hungry then!

 

[momma chickie]

They eat much less if they are hot so try lowering the temperature

Before I got the heat lamp on them they were hardly eating and was concerned that they were too cool (plus lots of distressed sounding peeps)...but now that they are feathering maybe they will do better. I have a chick heating pad with a box over the top so it doesn't get drafty and stays a little more cozy...so tonight I will turn off the light and scoot their Butts into the box(that is how the last group slept.