how long to leave lamp on

[prittybitty]

i just got orpington chicks. do i need to leave the light on all night?

 

[Colored Egg Farmer]

Quote:
It depends. Is this light for light or heat.

also the age would be helpful.

 

[miss_jayne]

chicks need light 24/7. keep the light on until they are at least 4 weeks old!

 

[Akane]

They don't need light, I would think they'd do better with a regular day and night schedule actually, but they do need heat. Since we use light bulbs to provide heat it does have to stay on 24/7 until they no longer need heat. Then I usually start out turning it off for a few hours during the day and steadily increase the time until it's off all day and night. Most of mine I removed the light sometime during the 3rd week but I keep my house pretty warm in the summer. Watch the chicks. If they are huddled together near the light they still need it. If they start scattering about or sleeping away from it you can start lessening the heat by raising the light or putting in a lower wattage bulb until they are ready for you to start turning it off.

 

[NMbirds]

Would you (or anyone else) recommend a heat lamp as opposed to a regular bulb of the appropriate wattage?
thanks....

 

[SandraMort]

Do freedom rangers need the heat for less time than layers? They grow so quickly!!! They're only 10 days old and their wings are almost completely feathered. I'd like to get them into the barn and romping in the run as soon as possible.

 

[Akane]

For me heat lamps have been unnecessary. With a 60w bulb I can get my brooder up to 102F. A heat lamp would just cook everyone. Plus heat lamps are more dangerous to use and pose a greater fire hazard than a standard bulb. Now if you have alot of chicks under a large area and/or in a cold climate outside then an actual heat lamp may be needed.

How soon they can go outside will depend on the temps in your area. You can also set up lamps in the coop provided you have electricity. Mine doesn't and it's 50-70s here already so mine are stuck inside until they get pretty well feathered.

 

[SterlingAcres]

My chickens are about 6 weeks old and have been in the barn for a month. They've been without the heatlamp for 3 nights now and they're fine. I actually kept it in there longer because I added the guinea keets. They're 2.5 weeks old now, but I'm not worried about heat. I have 2-3 hens that lay on top of them or with them under their wings day and night. My future broody bunch

 

[Opa]

Miss_Jayne was right on about keeping light 24/7 for 4 wks. Almost all chicks will be fully feathered by then. Start at 99 degrees and slowly lower the temp a few degrees by raising your light further from the birds. I would never take it to ambient temperature until you have fully feathered chicks