how long do you need to keep brooder light on for ?

[mae11197]

I had to take the last 3 baby chicks awy from my wonderfully broody mama becasue my dumb cat was getting them no matter what i did ( we lost 3). I have rasied chicks before but they were older. i think these are less then a week so I was going to put them under a 60watt but did not know for how long, what part of the day was best shold I keep it on or off at night? Thank you for any help you can offer.

 

[my1stchicks]

Keep it on full time. If their cold they'll go under it. You'll notice them start staying away from it as they get older so then you can always go to a 40 watt. When they feather out you can turn it off. Mine usually are finished with theirs by the time they're 6 weeks.