How warm to keep chicks

[luckyclucky]

On Wednesday, we bought 6 red pullets from tractor supply co. The worker there said the chicks had been there for four days prior to us buying them. We are first time chicken owners. We have them in a tall cardboard box, lined with newspaper and wood shavings. We have a 85w heat lamp above them. They have been eating like it's going out of style and drinking and playing the same. Anyways. We were wondering how to age them.. By our best guess, one week, make one and a half weeks old. We have a thermometer which measures the temp of the box, (right around 82 degrees, Fahrenheit of course) the room is also the same temperature. We read that 95 degrees the first week, reduced by 5 degrees every week is adequate. Is 82 too cold? Should they be warmer? They sleep near each other but not touching, and not directly under the light. Does it need to be warmer? Thanks!

 

[MySweetChickens]

It sounds like you are doing good the temp is fine too congrats on the babies

 

[luckyclucky]

Yes, my birds like to facetime.

 

[smccuen]

They're tougher than some folks think. The heat lamp can go after ten days or so if they're in the same environment you're in - say in the low 70s indoors. Mine moved outside at age 14 days with no lamp and they are thriving. The temps here range from 60 to 80 during the day and dip to the low 40s at night. Rain showers and wind have been well tolerated. Chicks and their duckling companions are fine and happy outside with no special accommodations needed other than dry bedding, a perch for the chicks, a pan of water to play in for the ducklings (who will graduate to a kiddy pool in a week or so) and plenty of unmedicated chick starter. They have simple roofs over their heads at night and roam freely out of the shelters in little pens that are about 8x8 feet in size. Temporary fences made of short posts and 3 foot high chickenwire keep them in. Temporary pens will come down so they can range the full big fowl pen in another week or so - once they're large enough to not squeeze through the 2x2 inch welded wire fencing surrounding that area.
Last year I kept chicks and ducklings in my living room under lamps in plastic tubs for over 3 weeks and then they went outside - apparently more than eager to get outdoors by then. They did fine. My gut feeling with them this year was that last year I'd coddled the wee ones too much, too long........this year's batch proved me right.........they're tougher by nature's design than we sometimes give them credit for being.

 

[luckyclucky]

Thanks for the advice. I figured they'd be fine. They weren't acting cold. I just keep reading peoples posts and some people are so analytical regarding the temps. I don't want to harm the little girls in any way, just trying to figure out what's right. Next time I'll go with my gut and see what happens.

Anyone know much about darkness and chicks? Are they able to find water/food when it's real dark at night? I've read chicks are afraid of the dark but mine just laid down together and fell asleep.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Thanks for the advice. I figured they'd be fine. They weren't acting cold. I just keep reading peoples posts and some people are so analytical regarding the temps. I don't want to harm the little girls in any way, just trying to figure out what's right. Next time I'll go with my gut and see what happens.

Anyone know much about darkness and chicks? Are they able to find water/food when it's real dark at night? I've read chicks are afraid of the dark but mine just laid down together and fell asleep.

For the most part they just stay in place and sleep in the dark - they aren't up wandering around looking for food/water (this is why non-light based heat makes for a much better night's sleep if brooding in the house).

Oh, and on aging - chicks are shipped at 1 day of age to arrive at 2-3 days of age - so if they had been in the store for four days they were likely 7 (ish) days old when you purchased them.

 

[sepaditty1]

I put mine out as soon as they got feathers. Some said I rushed it, but they're fine. Some will say that nature is nature and they know what to do. But nature gives them a couple weeks under mom. So following your gut, but being responsible is good. Sounds like you're doing a great job of balancing it.

Good job and welcome to the club!