Just got 4-week old chicks . . . help with heat!

[minniemom]

Hi All,

We just picked up several 4-week old chicks: 4 Ameracaunas, 4 Rhode Island Reds and 1 Buff Orpington. We have 4 Red Sex Links coming next week. I'm unsure about whether or not to provide heat. I've been googling and looking for answers, but all I'm finding is info that addresses the first 3 weeks.

During the day we're having temps in the 60-70's; nighttime lows are around 55 degrees. Do they need a heat lamp? If so, how do we determine how high to position it and how much heat they need? They are in a very large coop - about 8' x 10'. We have them in a big box now, but could we just let them have free roam of the coop with the lamp in one corner so that it's there if they need it, but they don't have to go under it if they're warm enough?

Thanks!

 

[rockthecoop]

Put a heating lamp usually with a red light bulb in the area you have your chicks along with a thermometer. You can research what temp to keep them at.

 

[SobbaChickens]

My chicks are 4-5wks old and I do not provide them heat unless the temp drops below 50*F. If you'd like to give them heat then what I'd do is guess at the height of the lamp and then after a bit of time check on them and see how they are behaving. It is very clear if a chick is too hot or too cold, IMO. I'd use a lower watt bulb too, like 125 or 150.

 

[donrae]

I'd put a lower watt bulb in the coop, let them out of the box. They'll still appreciate access to a warm spot at this age. If it's around 90 degrees under the lamp, they'll be fine. In a week or so I'd turn the lamp off during the day, back on at night for a week or so then do away with the lamp altogether.