Is the amount of light per day really an issue for chicks?

[HoosierHens]

I was doing some research on pasty butts (YUCK) last night and came across some advice that suggests after 1 week old you should decrease the amount of "daylight" for chicks. Is this important? If I am using a heat lamp with white bulb should I switch to a red bulb to do this? Am I stupid to ask this?

Loving my first chicky girls - all 8 fuzzy little butts, well except for the pasty ones! (and yes, I fixed that problem last night and will continue to monitor their hineys!)

 

[morelcabin]

I would use a red bulb for the chicks, so they can get some "night" But as far as decreasing daylight, mine have the same amount of daylight as the rest of my flock, the coop is on a timer.