How long to meat birds need heat?

[Cindy2348]

Just wondering how long meat birds need heat? Mine are how two weeks old and I have moved them outside into a tractor but I still have a light in it for heat. Is that still necessary?

 

[ChikeeMomma]

I'm assuming they need heat just like any other chick -- until they are feathered out. I still have a lamp on my 4 week old Dixie Rainbows. It is just on at night now. They are almost feathered out completely, though.

 

[weaveagarden]

If Nova Scotia is as cold as I imagine it is, I hope they feather fast. I had always heard that you take them down from 100degrees by 5 degrees per week until 70. I sped that up just a bit with mine, but our nights are in the 50's right now. If yours are, you might need to leave that light on for at the least a few more weeks. I think I would during the day if the temps don't at least reach 75 for the next week or two. Maybe I am wrong, so somebody else please chime in here.

 

[jaku]

A good rule of thumb is that they can be out in the cold (even down to freezing temps,) after three weeks. I usually supplement them with heat lamps when they're outside though, unless it's hot out. Keeping them warm and draft-free at night will only help them!