Light

[Easomaha]

I got my first set of chicks which I set up in my garage do to cats. Do they need light available all the time or is it ok to turn out the lights when I go to bed? They have a ceramic heat bulb that keeps the floor temp around 80 Degrees. I also got five chicks which all seem to be doing great but I did notice one of them always runs around pecking the food out of the others mouths. Sometimes she will eat out of the dish but not often?

 

[MROO]

They don't need light all the time, but if they are younger than three weeks, they need more than 80 degree heat. The first week, they should be at 95, then they drop roughly 5 degrees a week.

 

[BroodyMama1]

I’ve done two rounds of chicks in the garage. I would do lights during day and off at night so when they go out they are adjusted.

 

[Easomaha]

They don't need light all the time, but if they are younger than three weeks, they need more than 80 degree heat. The first week, they should be at 95, then they drop roughly 5 degrees a week.

Thanks I'll up the heat.

 

[Easomaha]

They don't need light all the time, but if they are younger than three weeks, they need more than 80 degree heat. The first week, they should be at 95, then they drop roughly 5 degrees a week.

I also have another question about heat I added another heat lamp with ceramic bulb and it has brought the temp up to about 96. My question is are they smart enough to get out of the heat not to over heat they were all fanned out heads down looked almost dead. then I made a noise and they all jumped up...

 

[MROO]

That doesn't sound good! Chicks tend to sleep in a huddle. If they are fanned out and drooping like that, they're probably too hot. Happy chicks will move around a lot, too. In "real life," they dart out from under mama to explore, eat and drink, then dart back under to get warm again.
So, yes, they are smart enough to move to the more comfortable temperature, but their little bodies can't regulate the temperatures on their own, so if you're not sure of the temps, make sure they have a cooler place to hide, if they need it. Can you move one of the heaters a little bit away, so it's warm, but not hot?

 

[Easomaha]

I meant they are all huddled together with wings fanned out heat directly under both lamps was 99.5 under one and 88.9 under the other plush they have a shoe box with one side cut out. That’s where they tend to hang at night.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Are they able to get away from the heat source IF they choose to? Yes, they will move away from the heat, that's why I ask if the brooder has is big enough that they can move away from the heat need be. I used to use a heat light until I read Blooies' thread on MHP, it's safer (fire threat) and the chicks learn night/day, alot less skittish/calmer and quietly content.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It sounds like you have 2 heat lamps? That's overkill with only 5 chicks. If a heat lamp is the source of heat then yes you have to leave it on around the clock. The chicks won't have a normal day/night sleep schedule while it's on but that'll change once they're off heat.

Don't worry about what the thermometer says. Go with the chicks behavior to adjust temperature. If they seem comfortable at 80 when the recommended is 90, it's fine having it turned down to 80. How to tell: Chicks huddling together or packed tightly under the heat source are too cold, while chicks spread far away from each other or standing far away from the heat are too hot.

You also didn't mention the age of the chicks which makes a difference. Younger chicks have a harder time regulating temperature so you'll need to have it more consistent while they're very little, after that they can take a greater variance in temperature.

 

[Easomaha]

It sounds like you have 2 heat lamps? That's overkill with only 5 chicks. If a heat lamp is the source of heat then yes you have to leave it on around the clock. The chicks won't have a normal day/night sleep schedule while it's on but that'll change once they're off heat.

Don't worry about what the thermometer says. Go with the chicks behavior to adjust temperature. If they seem comfortable at 80 when the recommended is 90, it's fine having it turned down to 80. How to tell: Chicks huddling together or packed tightly under the heat source are too cold, while chicks spread far away from each other or standing far away from the heat are too hot.

You also didn't mention the age of the chicks which makes a difference. Younger chicks have a harder time regulating temperature so you'll need to have it more consistent while they're very little, after that they can take a greater variance in temperature.

It's not heat lamps but ceramic heat bulbs for heat no light. They now have two and are loving life all five happy and healthy. They also have a Daylight lamp on a timer that comes on at 6 am and goes off at 9 pm