Need advice on heat lamp usage

[TonyaS]

My chicks and keets are 4 weeks old now and we are keeping their brooders in our "florida room" that is closed off to the rest of the house (so no AC gets in there). I have the windows open for ventilation but since we live in Florida it stays very warm if not downright hot in there day and night. For the last two weeks I have been able to turn off the heat lamp during the day since it stays so hot in there and then I turn it back on when the sun is setting. I've noticed the last couple nights the chicks and keets have gravitated away from the heat lamp even though it is not close to them at all. The temperature stays around 80-85 in there in the evening so is it really necessary for me to turn the heat lamp on during the evenings still? All their feathers are coming in beautifully and I've never seen them huddling together for warmth. They will be moved outside to their coops in a couple weeks if not sooner, they are about to outgrow their brooders since those stinkers are growing so fast! If I can keep the heat lamp off now will it help prepare them for life out in the coop? Thanks for any and all advice since this is all new for me!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I would say with those temps they probably did not need the lamp after the first 1 1/2- 2 weeks. I brood my chicks outdoors and they usually stop using the heating pad that i give them at about that time and temps are not quite as warm here, usually.

I definitely suggest doing away with the lamp and getting them out and used to their coop as soon as possible. Make sure you do a very, very good predator and escape proofing inspection before hand, though.

 

[TonyaS]

I would say with those temps they probably did not need the lamp after the first 1 1/2- 2 weeks. I brood my chicks outdoors and they usually stop using the heating pad that i give them at about that time and temps are not quite as warm here, usually.

I definitely suggest doing away with the lamp and getting them out and used to their coop as soon as possible. Make sure you do a very, very good predator and escape proofing inspection before hand, though.

Thank you! This weekend my husband will be making sure their coops are completely secure and ready for them to be moved out there. I read that I should keep them strictly in their coops for a couple weeks at first so they will get used to going back there each night once I start letting them free range. Is that correct?

 

[SunHwaKwon]

A few days to a week is usually good enough. IME it partially depends on how high it is elevated, as sometimes they will run to the ramp or halfway but not figure out the part about going all the way in, especially if it's getting dark inside.

 

[TonyaS]

A few days to a week is usually good enough. IME it partially depends on how high it is elevated, as sometimes they will run to the ramp or halfway but not figure out the part about going all the way in, especially if it's getting dark inside.

That makes sense. They are used to the way I talk to them already and I have a small bell I picked up to ring when I start giving them treats in hopes they'll learn to come to me when I call them. Do you recommend we have a dim light inside their coop that we turn on at night or is it better for it to be dark? We have a light that sits on top of our shop that lights up the entire outside area where the coops and runs are plus we are looking into adopting a couple yard dogs to help guard the flocks.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

In the winter time I use a solar powered light, especially for the benefit of the guineas as they like to stay out later but then would freak out about going into a dark coop. The chickens are usually good about seeking out the roost well before dark so this time of year you may not need one, as long as the coop has windows.

 

[TonyaS]

In the winter time I use a solar powered light, especially for the benefit of the guineas as they like to stay out later but then would freak out about going into a dark coop. The chickens are usually good about seeking out the roost well before dark so this time of year you may not need one, as long as the coop has windows.

Ok great. Thank you so much for all the useful information!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

You're welcome, and welcome to BYC!

 

[RonC]

Some small amount of light will encourage them to go in the coop at night. Also helps them to keep laying in the winter months when the days are shorter, once they reach that age. I found a red led bulb at Lowes since mine were used to the red heat lamp.

 

[lazy gardener]

My chicks and keets are 4 weeks old now and we are keeping their brooders in our "florida room" that is closed off to the rest of the house (so no AC gets in there). I have the windows open for ventilation but since we live in Florida it stays very warm if not downright hot in there day and night. For the last two weeks I have been able to turn off the heat lamp during the day since it stays so hot in there and then I turn it back on when the sun is setting. I've noticed the last couple nights the chicks and keets have gravitated away from the heat lamp even though it is not close to them at all. The temperature stays around 80-85 in there in the evening so is it really necessary for me to turn the heat lamp on during the evenings still? All their feathers are coming in beautifully and I've never seen them huddling together for warmth. They will be moved outside to their coops in a couple weeks if not sooner, they are about to outgrow their brooders since those stinkers are growing so fast! If I can keep the heat lamp off now will it help prepare them for life out in the coop? Thanks for any and all advice since this is all new for me!

Thank you! This weekend my husband will be making sure their coops are completely secure and ready for them to be moved out there. I read that I should keep them strictly in their coops for a couple weeks at first so they will get used to going back there each night once I start letting them free range. Is that correct?

Tonya, your chicks and keets are certainly old enough that they could have been weaned off from heat several weeks ago, given your climate. My chicks are brooded outside, in a coop, with a heating pad cave, and they wean themselves off heat around 4 weeks old, with night time temps going down into the 30's.

As for keeping them in the coop when you move them out, it depends on what the coop temp. is. I would not confine chickens to a coop if it means that they will be exposed to high temperatures. A lot depends on your climate, your coop set up, the amount of ventilation. if your run is secure, I'd perhaps put them in the coop before dusk the first day, and let them out into the run the following morning. You will most likely need to put them in a few evenings in a row until they get the hang of it.