My baby chicks are here - heat lamp questions

[downsfarm]

So my chicks just arrived via the post office. They were hatched Monday. We are keeping them in a homemade brooder inside of our house, since it's December. We live in Missouri, so we intend to keep them inside for 6 weeks. After that, we will put them in our chicken coop. We are currently fencing in a 300 sq ft area for them -- How long do you suggest keeping them locked up in the coop? They will be locked in the coop at night. They are all hens (15 of them).

I have a 250 watt lamp (red) on their brooder. I have been reading how 'bad' lamps are because of fire risk etc. I saw something about heat plates - does that really provide enough heat to keep them warm? We keep our house at 70, so obviously they won't be warm enough without supplemental heat.

I bought one of those metal feed trays with the holes in it. But I was concerned they were too young to use it with the top on ? Am I wrong?

I'm a first time chicken mama here! I got my brooder plans online and they were using the heat lamps - but now I'm worried.

 

[downsfarm]

I should note I have the heat lamp on a temp gauge - it will automatically shut it off if the temp gets above 98 in the brooder.

 

[junebuggena]

250 watts is too much for inside a house. Chicks need a warm zone, heated to about 95 degrees. The rest of the brooder should be about room temp. The heat plates and heating pad methods are designed to mimic a broody hen, with the chicks going underneath for a quick warm ups throughout the day. Feeders are fine for using with chicks, though I like to give chicks a shallow dish of feed for the first few days so they learn what it is they are expected to eat.
As the chicks grow, and develop feathers, the less heat they need.

 

[diamondsilkies]

I've used heat lamps with no problem, just make sure they are not touching/too close to anything flammable. I have also used the heat plates. They work well in terms of keeping the chicks warm, but I noticed the chicks in the brooder with the heat plates were a lot more skittish, and liked hiding underneath it. One chick was so reluctant to leave that he didn't end up getting enough food and developed wry neck. :/ Once he got some food and vitamins he was OK, though, so if you do end up using one make sure they're getting plenty of food and water and handle them often.

If the feeder you're talking about looks like this or similar (just to clarify):


Then yes, you should be OK. I've had some chicks fall in, but they're easy to get out and they don't get injured. They'll be able to reach the food as long as you keep it full. Hope this helps! Good luck!

 

[DaviJones]

I only kept mine in the coop at night, but if you're worried about them not knowing where to go at night maybe keep them locked inside for 5 days or so. Oh and they would probably appreciate a few short trips outside at the 4-5 week mark. I wouldn't say heat lamps are objectively bad, just not optimal. They do carry a fire risk so make sure its securely clamped, the auto shut off is also a good precaution. Unfortunately I don't know much on heat pads because I used a lamp and it was still in the 90s and high 80s outside(we keep the house at about 75-78) The feed tray is probably a bit too advanced for such young chicks(they could still use it just mine pooped in it and ruined the feed) it might be a bit short but I'm not sure because mine already had some feathers on their wings when I got them. Best advice I can give is to watch them and see if they have any trouble.

I was really worried when I got mine, the most I can say is watch them and they are a lot hardier than most think. You've got this! And if you have a question don't be afraid to post, everyone's really helpful

 

[downsfarm]

I've used heat lamps

If the feeder you're talking about looks like this or similar (just to clarify):


Then yes, you should be OK. I've had some chicks fall in, but they're easy to get out and they don't get injured. They'll be able to reach the food as long as you keep it full. Hope this helps! Good luck!

Yes, that is my feeder! I will put the top on

 

[downsfarm]

I was really worried when I got mine, the most I can say is watch them and they are a lot hardier than most think. You've got this! And if you have a question don't be afraid to post, everyone's really helpful[/QUOTE]

Thanks, they have been eating out of the feeder thus far but right now I don't have the top on. I work from home so I can watch them a lot!

 

[junebuggena]

I use a heating pad draped over a wire frame. Works great in my unheated garage (average temps of about 50*). The way it works is that the chicks have to make contact with the heating pad, just like they would if brooded by a hen, to get warmed.

The rest of the brooder is the ambient room temp of about 50*.

By 3 weeks of age, they are almost completely feathered in and ready for life outside. The bonus of this method is that chicks are already used to cool temps, normal day/night cycles, and going into a smaller area at night time, making the transition to life in the coop easy and stress-free.

 

[DaviJones]

That's great! I got mine on the weekend specifically so I could watch them and make sure the set up was okay.


I remember this helped me so just as a precaution, not really necessary I just worried a lot. I checked their crops frequently and gave them small pebbles as grit just because I was worried about crop issues. I also put some oregano in their feeders when I heard them sneezing a bit as the environment of the brooder has some bacteria and dust which can cause respiratory issues and the oregano cured it.

Best of luck with your chicks! It's an experience

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I'm a long time heat lamp user. The bigger watt version you are using I only use for a few days after shipping, then I switch to reptile bulbs. Attach it wth a chain (hardware store will cut you some) with something failproof(i use quick links) to an L shelf bracket mounted on the wall. The clamps aren't safe.

The only place that should be 90 in the brooder is right under the lamp, which shouldn't be angled but hanging straight down. I don't think I've ever hung mine lower than 30 inches from the floor. You just have to be real careful about enough space to have a nice cool zone.
The auto off is a good safety feature but I'd want to avoid it turning the light on and off, I think it would reduce the life of the bulb.

I worked in a homemade heating plate wirh my last batch. I liked it but ended up with a combo system as this, meaning the time they were only using the pad, was the only time I've ever had persistent pasty butt. That's by no means a common experience though. Good luck and enjoy the babies!