New and need help!

[colby bush]

Hey everyone. I bought 5 silkies today there about a week or two old. When I pick one up they feel really warm is this normal or should I move the light back some. It's about 8 inches away.

 

[sourland]

They should have enough space to be able to get away from the light if they are too warm. Are they panting?

 

[colby bush]

No there chirping like happy little chicks. I was just making sure it's normal

 

[SkyeAus]

If really worried pop a thermometer in there and check the temp

 

[colby bush]

What should the temp be at? And when should they go outside "by themselves in separate coop"

 

[AuntNomi]

Mine are 2-3 weeks, and they are outside. They do have a light that they can get under if they need. But I also live in Florida and so its really isn't cold here, not yet.

 

[rIrs roost]

Can they get away from the light if they get too hot. ? What kind of light. 8 inches sounds pretty close especially if they can't get to a cool place if needed.

 

[Cheep N Peep]

All the books will tell you to reduce the temp. 5 degrees every week, until the chicks can stand outside nighttime temps. I don't worry about temperature too much, but I do watch it, since I don't have a heat cave. During week one I want the brooder (under the light) around 90, week two 85-80, week three 80-75, and so on and so forth. If the chicks seem hot I raise the lamp to lower the temperature. By week six They just have a regular 'light' light to see with, which I turn off at night to simulate day and night outside. Because it is winter, I waited until my girls were ten weeks old before putting them in the coop under the poop board, while the two older girls from spring could have gone in when they were six. (But the coop wasn't done, so...)

 

[colby bush]

Yes they have the opposite side of the thing they are in. And they are running around for about 5 to 10 mins chirping and eating. Then they all huddle under the light for a bit and do it again. And they will have another silkie and a light outside in the coop. I would load a picture but it won't let me.

 

[colby bush]

Also how exactly can I tell if there panting? Is there a certain thing they do? Do the peep while panting?