hot weather. is heat lamp necessary?

[elephantapple]

I usually let the chicks tell me. If the chicks huddle together when you have the lamp off, then just keep it on until they are comfortably spread out about the broode. Just make sure that they have room to get away from the heat lamp. Hope this is helpful!

yeah! i think i’ll just kind of feel it out. for the first time, they moved over to the “cooler” side, so i definitely turned it off. probably won’t turn it back on until later tonight when it starts cooling off.

 

[Kiki]

i live in vancouver, washington, usa.

is it hot where you are too? is that why you wouldn’t add heat to your day old chicks?

I think your chicks will be fine with you leaving heat on them as long as it's not getting too hot....during the night.
I would not have added heat on chicks if there were anywhere near 90° outside.

 

[Kiki]

yeah! i think i’ll just kind of feel it out. for the first time, they moved over to the “cooler” side, so i definitely turned it off. probably won’t turn it back on until later tonight when it starts cooling off.

Heat lamps like actual heat lamps get extremely hot so be careful with it.

 

[elephantapple]

I live on the golf coast and it’s similar in temperature during the day. I take it day by day, checking the highs for each day. If they’re huddled turn it on and if they’re breathing with their beaks open turn it off. If you miss it by a little up or down it’s OK.

perfect. i’m just going to keep checking in on them and see how they’re looking. thank you.

 

[elephantapple]

I think your chicks will be fine with you leaving heat on them as long as it's not getting too hot....during the night.
I would not have added heat on chicks if there were anywhere near 90° outside.

thank you. i wasn’t anticipating getting them in this heat, so all the advice is very helpful. i appreciate it!

 

[Poodlemum]

I use the mama pad heating method from @Blooie and they’ve been outside since hatch/the store. They’re super active outside the cave since it’s so toasty (90-95°) and I move their brooder around the shade. It was too hot with the sun on them at all. All have clean little bums and quiet at night, it’s in the 60s here

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chicks need a lot less heat than most people think, and there's benefits to keeping them slightly cooler than commercial recommendations (example, heat can cause or worsen pasty butt).

Yes you will need to provide heat at this point at night. But in the Pac NW right now, since you have them in a sunroom, you won't need to provide heat through the rest of this week if weather reports are correct.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I live pretty close to you. I don't use heat lamps ever but for sure not with our current temps. Check out heating pads and plates, safer game changer.... https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...e-heavy-update.956958/page-1200#post-25969499

 

[elephantapple]

Chicks need a lot less heat than most people think, and there's benefits to keeping them slightly cooler than commercial recommendations (example, heat can cause or worsen pasty butt).

Yes you will need to provide heat at this point at night. But in the Pac NW right now, since you have them in a sunroom, you won't need to provide heat through the rest of this week if weather reports are correct.

thank you! i have decided exactly this. not necessary during the day, but i put it on for them at night