Hello! New Member from Maryland

[Baileybunchx5]

Hello, I am a new member from Maryland. I am planning our first flock of chicks soon. Will be starting with 8-10 chicks. I am planning to use a brooder plate for their heat source in the brooder box. Any suggestions on lighting? I ask because they will be in my downstairs finished basement (small window for light) initially and have heard that sun up/sun down is important. Also want to be sure they are able to see to get to their food, water and heat source during the night. Thank you

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC! Thanks for joining us.

Does it get terribly dark in the basement? About how many hours is there light?

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. I always raise mine outdoors, but I'm sure any light source will work. I'd just turn on the light in the room.
Do you have a picture of your brooder set up?

 

[Baileybunchx5]

Welcome to BYC! Thanks for joining us.

Does it get terribly dark in the basement? About how many hours is there light?

Pretty dark yes. There is a small basement window but may not be where the brooder will be. I've heard maybe dont be super abrupt with "Lights off, lights on"?

 

[Baileybunchx5]

Welcome to BYC. I always raise mine outdoors, but I'm sure any light source will work. I'd just turn on the light in the room.
Do you have a picture of your brooder set up?

I do not yet, as I have not obtained the chicks yet. I have the supplies just not set up yet

 

[Baileybunchx5]

Pretty dark yes. There is a small basement window but may not be where the brooder will be. I've heard maybe dont be super abrupt with "Lights off, lights on"?

I am going to go downstairs tonight and see for myself how dark it is when the sun goes down to give me an idea.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Any suggestions on lighting?

Natural?

I ask because they will be in my downstairs finished basement

Do you have their coop and run built? If so, that is where they should be brooded.

able to see to get to their food, water and heat source during the night

This is only necessary for the first three days if they were shipped to you to help them recover from the shipping stress. Otherwise, they should have the same circadian rhythm as adult chickens would have and should only eat and drink during waking hours.

 

[Baileybunchx5]

Coop and run are still being built, I was told they should be brooded in the house for awhile? Until fully feathered 6 weeks maybe? If weather is warm enough I was told I could take them outside in the grass in a safe enclosed space for short period of time without heat?

 

[swampfox440]

Hi, welcome to BYC! thanks for joining us.

 

[N F C]

Thanks for joining us! People employ different ways of brooding chicks depending on what works best for their situation. Some people use a heat lamp, some use a heat plate and some use the Mama Heating Pad method (you can find out about it by using the Search). One question I have about them being downstairs, will they be convenient enough for you really interact with them?