Light with mama heating pad

[Doc7]

My chicks will go in the brooder (which for them is just the coop) when I get them next week at a day old.

Do they need a light on such as a LED bulb in addition to the mama heating pad to be able to find the heating pad in the dark? I’ve heard chickens have very poor night vision. Should I plan on running a light out there for the first few weeks? Or if I block off so they are only in a 4x2 space at first in the coop will they have no problems finding the heat pad regardless of lighting?

 

[trudyg]

I didn't need one. As it got dark, they naturally headed to the mhp and, when fully dark, slept all night. They have slept all night every night since I got them at 3 days old and are now almost 6 weeks, going to sleep on the roost on their own. You'll be surprised at how well they do with the mhp. You can always go out after full dark and make sure they're all on/under it if it eases your mind.