Lights off or on?

[21hens-incharge]

I feel terrible. My Chicks are 6wks old and have had a heat lamp on 24/7 since I've got them as day old chicks. We still have below freezing temps. and they do roam around all day in the coop but the heat lamp is always on. If I turn the lamp off they will probably freeze to death. So how can they sleep with the lights off? So confused on the light situation

How many chicks? Are they fully feathered? What are your overnight lows?

They will need weaned off the heat lamp eventually. Try turning it off during the day when temps are above 45° for a few hours slowly increasing the amount of time it is off.

Of note: If your coop is very dark inside and they don't have outdoor access you will still need a light during daytime so they can see to eat and drink. Maybe have one that when you unplug the heat lamp you plug in that doesn't add heat.

 

[nchls school]

I feel terrible. My Chicks are 6wks old and have had a heat lamp on 24/7 since I've got them as day old chicks. We still have below freezing temps. and they do roam around all day in the coop but the heat lamp is always on. If I turn the lamp off they will probably freeze to death. So how can they sleep with the lights off? So confused on the light situation

With these temperatures it would be best to keep the heat lamp going; raise the lamp a little to accommodate their larger size and possibly use a red light bulb. Birds adapt and your chicks can sleep with the light on just as people can sleep with a light on.

 

[PVILLAGO]

How many chicks? Are they fully feathered? What are your overnight lows?

They will need weaned off the heat lamp eventually. Try turning it off during the day when temps are above 45° for a few hours slowly increasing the amount of time it is off.

Of note: If your coop is very dark inside and they don't have outdoor access you will still need a light during daytime so they can see to eat and drink. Maybe have one that when you unplug the heat lamp you plug in that doesn't add heat.

Thank you I have 10 fully feathered girls. I have removed the brooder plate but have the overhead heat lamp. It is kind of dark in there. I have a buffet lamp I turn on during the day. But heat lamp is always on. I'm in Texas but we've got some cold temps. This week temps 45°high. Low in the teens.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thank you I have 10 fully feathered girls. I have removed the brooder plate but have the overhead heat lamp. It is kind of dark in there. I have a buffet lamp I turn on during the day. But heat lamp is always on. I'm in Texas but we've got some cold temps. This week temps 45°high. Low in the teens.

Spring is just around the corner. You can try weaning them off the heat now.

If you are home during the day turn it off for an hour or 2 in your he warmest part of the day each day for a week then increase the off time ach week until it's going off close to dawn and on at dusk. Then see how they behave when you turn it on at dusk. If they run to huddle under it they still need it. If they avoid it they don't need it.

Observing during the day is helpful too. If they huddle in a heap they are cold. If they mill around eating and drinking they are fine.

 

[PVILLAGO]

Spring is just around the corner. You can try weaning them off the heat now.

If you are home during the day turn it off for an hour or 2 in your he warmest part of the day each day for a week then increase the off time ach week until it's going off close to dawn and on at dusk. Then see how they behave when you turn it on at dusk. If they run to huddle under it they still need it. If they avoid it they don't need it.

Observing during the day is helpful too. If they huddle in a heap they are cold. If they mill around eating and drinking they are fine.

Thank you. Most helpful. They walk around coop eating, chirping and scratching but nap time most of them huddle together and take a nap but not under heat lamp.
I hang out with them alot so will try your way. I appreciate you Thank you

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thank you. Most helpful. They walk around coop eating, chirping and scratching but nap time most of them huddle together and take a nap but not under heat lamp.
I hang out with them alot so will try your way. I appreciate you Thank you

Doing the chick pile is very very normal for sleeping at their age. It's when they do it under the heat lamp that they are indicating they are cold.

It's wonderful that you are able to be there to observe during the day.

 

[PVILLAGO]

Doing the chick pile is very very normal for sleeping at their age. It's when they do it under the heat lamp that they are indicating they are cold.

It's wonderful that you are able to be there to observe during the day.

Most of the.time I'm able to be there. I'm a Realtor so it's easier for me to zip in and out and I have a wireless game camera