is the light on all night

[MzBalance]

We've just got a couple spring chicks from the feed store. We had two last spring and I can't seem to remember is we leave the light on all night or not?
thanks -

 

[Griffin Nest]

for the first 10 days you should leave the light on all night. usually 3rd week i just keep it on AT night.

 

[duckking]

We have a red 250w heat lamp on them 24/7. They are in our living room so it's dark once we all go to bed, but the heat lamp is always on for them. For day olds you start at 95F and then reduce by 5F each week until they are used to room temps and feathered out. Mine didn't like 95....too hot, but that heat 24/7 is essential and an area of the brooder that they can get out of the heat is also important. I have their food and water at the cool end of the brooder.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I don't believe in the 95 thing. Newly hatched need it, but quickly do not like it. Having the brooder big enough to allow the chicks to tell you by their behavior is far, far better than screwing around with temps and gauges that are inaccurate. The chicks are the best thermometer ever!!!!

Yes, they need heat at night, until they are feathered out around 5 weeks. Use no more heat than is necessary to keep your chicks from piling up under the light and peeping. If they are doing that? It is too cold. If they pant, lift their wings, are most found trying to escape the heat circle? They are in serious heat stress. Reduce the bulb wattage. Enjoy your new chicks. They grow up fast.

 

[duckking]

Fred's Hens :

I don't believe in the 95 thing. Newly hatched need it, but quickly do not like it. Having the brooder big enough to allow the chicks to tell you by their behavior is far, far better than screwing around with temps and gauges that are inaccurate. The chicks are the best thermometer ever!!!!

Yes, they need heat at night, until they are feathered out around 5 weeks. Use no more heat than is necessary to keep your chicks from piling up under the light and peeping. If they are doing that? It is too cold. If they pant, lift their wings, are most found trying to escape the heat circle? They are in serious heat stress. Reduce the bulb wattage. Enjoy your new chicks. They grow up fast.

I agree. 95F just about fried them! They (2 day olds) seem to be happy between 85-90F at this stage, with the older ones (11 days) hanging out more on the periphery. My first batch were the same. As long as they are all spread out, some under the light, some not so much, no piling, no panting and holding their wings out, whatever that temp is is OK.​

 

[ralleia]

Quote:
I agree. 95F just about fried them! They (2 day olds) seem to be happy between 85-90F at this stage, with the older ones (11 days) hanging out more on the periphery. My first batch were the same. As long as they are all spread out, some under the light, some not so much, no piling, no panting and holding their wings out, whatever that temp is is OK.

Ditto. Far and away whenever someone comes on the "baby chick" board asking why they have brooder-full of dead chicks the cause is because they COOKED the chicks to death.

Overheating is the fastest way to accidentally kill a chick. My brooders *never* get over 90 degrees even for brand new chicks, and then I observe their behavior for cues from there. The brooder is always maintained in a ventilated, but draft-free environment (open brooder in an enclosed building).