how long do we need the heat lamp?

[ImTheRealElly]

ihave4 9 day old chicks. they have a lot of feathers, but i dont know when to wean them off the heat.

 

[buckboy101]

Use the brooding lamp all of the brooding time

 

[TwoCrows]

They will need added heat until they are fully feathered. Downy fuzz does not keep them warm.

 

[ImTheRealElly]

yes, but how long is that? i dont know what brooding time is

 

[Quail1994]

It is 4 weeks max. sir

 

[Fat Daddy]

Quote:
The "rule of thumb" Is, start at 95 deg, drop 5 deg a week till your at outside temp or there feathered or 6 weeks old. I like to cool them quicker than that thou. Say buy 2 weeks old there usually around 80 deg or so. I start with a 60 watt bulb, and end up with a 25 watt party light. Just keep a eye on them and make sure they dont huddle and smother the bottom ones. This time of year, it aint such a big deal... but in cooler times, they need to be feathered good before you shut the heat off. Check under there wing, thats the last spot to get feathered out... Bill

 

[ImTheRealElly]

thanks Bill. thats helpful. we have themin a tall box with a heat lamp. in the house. it seems pretty hot in that room. i dont know when we will put them outside. i think the adult quail would peck them.

 

[Fat Daddy]

Quote:
I have never been able to mix different age birds until all were mature. And then it takes putting them all in a different pen or drastic change to the old one, so all the claimed "territories" are changed... If not, there will be blood!!! Bill

 

[ImTheRealElly]

we were thinking of putting a divider in the pen. with chicken wire. maybe they would get used to each other that way. we never had baby ones before

 

[Emma909]

3 to 4 weeks or until they get to room temp. by subtracting 5 degrees each week to the heat lamp