ideas how to stop night light?

[kipper]

Our chicks are now 4 weeks old and in the hen house. We are using an 85 watt red lamp at night for a little heat at night (into the 50's here) as they are not yet fully feathered. Their bulb was burned out when we went to turn it on last night and they were "crying" as it was almost dark. Put in another bulb and they were happy.

Any tips on how to cut out the night light when the time comes in a few weeks? I am thinking cold turkey will work when they are a little older, but not sure. Any ideas/suggestions/experiences around this subject are very welcome!

 

[Up-the-Creek]

They are almost old enough to be fully feathered and it being July, they should be okay. Go cold turkey,..they will get used to it. Its hard being a chicki mamma!

 

[kipper]

I know, I know... tough love! Two of our breeds are still a little fuzzy, so I'm hoping they will be feathered out in a week or so. Thanks!

 

[cposz]

Suck it up, girls!(as long as they are warm enough). Give them an hour and they should settle down. Ours did.

 

[Chick-a-roos]

Let's see, my 2 silkies are 14 weeks old and my 3 bantam cochin are 16 weeks old and STILL sleeping with a 25 watt bulb!
My chicks do more than "cry" if their light is not on. I am a well trained chicken mamma! I just feel better knowing they are happy!

I am hoping to order a solar powered light soon to place in their coop.

 

[quiltnchik]

Same advice here, too: just go cold turkey. That's what I did with mine and they were fine in no time, even going into the dark coop at bedtime

 

[azelgin]

I put mine on a dimmer and lowered the level over several days.

 

[Big C]

Raise the height of your light slightly per week.
This slowly increase the sq ft area that is heated as the chicks mature and need a less concentrated heat source.

 

[gritsar]

Yep, cold turkey is the way to go.
IMO, using a light and/or heat after its absolutely necessary is not doing the chickens any favors.
Look at it this way. Your chickens grow up used to having a light all the time. Then one night the light burns out. They freak and injure themselves in the process. An 6 lb. bird flopping around can do alot more damage than a 10 ounce one.
Same goes for using heat when not necessary. Get your birds acclimated to being toasty warm all winter and then have a power failure. Your birds can easily get chilled, not being used to cold weather, and chilled birds quickly become sick birds.
It's my favorite soapbox and I'll get off it now.

 

[kipper]

Thank you all. These is the kind of ideas I am looking for. I agree, they need to learn with the dark. So, I think as soon as feathered out the light will go away. Thanks!