Lighting

[andrew3waz]

Hey,

I am wondering how many hours a day I should have me lights on in my brooder? Also should I have a red heat lamp that runs 24/7? My 25 chicks are coming Friday should I have two heat lamps?

Thanks,
andrew3waz

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

They will need heat constantly as babies, you don't need to provide any other extra light. It wasn't till mine were 4wks old that I started turning the heat off during the day but back on at night.

 

[RonC]

You need at least one heat lamp going unless your brooder temperature is roughly 95 degrees F without it. They do best if they have an area that is cooler that they can move to so they can regulate their temperature. A second light may not be necessary depending on the size of your brooder area and ambient temperature. If they are in a large enough area that they can escape the heat if necessary a second light would be possible so they don't crowd each other. Remember though they need to be able to get away from the heat if it gets excessive.

 

[andrew3waz]

thanks,

Is it okay to have a wight light that comes on during the day and a red light that stays on 24/7 or do they both need to be red and stay on 24/7 for the first few weeks? Or does the color not matter?

Thanks,
andrew2waz

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

Most people believe that red is best, suppose to be more calming and mask any blood that might accidentally happen. If the chicks see blood they will attack. However I always used white and had zero issues, maybe my experience isn't the norm but to each their own.

 

[andrew3waz]

Can I use a red light as my heating light and then have a white non heat light that masks daylight? Or is the daylight not necessary?

Thanks,
andrew3was

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

You don't need any light but the heat lamp.

 

[andrew3waz]

Thanks ChirpyChicks1,

Thanks I appreciate all the help.

Thanks,
andrew3waz