How long do chicks need supplemental heating

[IamRainey]

I'm in SoCal where it's consistently in the 70s day and night. I've got 2wo chicks who still have a Mama Heating Pad in their brooder cage.

At this point they stand on it. And they're occasionally in there. ...but not much.

How long will they actually continue to need it?

 

[Evelyn Walker]

In about 2 weeks they should be fine without it.

 

[IamRainey]

Thanks for the response. But, just to be clear, are you saying they're able to maintain their body heat at 2 weeks old OR, if they're 2 weeks old now, they'll be stable in 2 weeks when they're 4 weeks old?

I just don't want to make an error that they have to pay for.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

Our house is in the 70s. Chicks indoors usually wean themselves off heat around three weeks old. By four weeks old, you should be good to remove the MHP.

 

[aart]

Either turn the pad temp down and/or raise the height of pad.
No one can give you a hard number of weeks, you have to go by observations.
Better to leave it in than take it out too soon, IMO.

 

[AltonaAcres]

As soon as they are fully feathered they should be ok.

 

[Evelyn Walker]

Thanks for the response. But, just to be clear, are you saying they're able to maintain their body heat at 2 weeks old OR, if they're 2 weeks old now, they'll be stable in 2 weeks when they're 4 weeks old?

I just don't want to make an error that they have to pay for.

Hi, I meant that IN 2 more weeks they'll be fine, in other words around 4 weeks old. They might stop using it sooner, but really the best thing to do is just to see if they're using it or not, and then go off of that.

 

[IamRainey]

Got it! Thanks!

You were clear, Evelyn. I just wasn't...