New Chicken Momma here, need help!

[fostersranch]

So,

I have been researching chickens for the past 2 years. I went to our local Tractor Supply to just have a look see at all the little babies. $60 later, came out with the whole kit and kabootle for my 4 new babies. We ended up with 1 rhode island red, 1 asian black, and 2 barred rock cuties. They are in my garage which is warm seems how I live in Florida. Do I need the heat lamp on all night for them?? I have set them up by the door in an old baby x-pen i use for the bunnies sometimes. I put down a layer of bedding, got the food and water set up for them, and also put in a cardboard box they could crawl in to escape the lamp in case it is too much for them.

As im sitting in aww of their immence cuteness, and overloaded that my 8 year old boy has found such joy in them (which is surprising cause he could care less at the store), I have forgotten everything i learned and read over the years. Help me out here. lol

 

[HuskerHens18]

Let the chicks tell you how they feel. Turn it on and watch, do they sit under it, huddle, or sit away from It?

Welcome to chicken keeping

 

[adrikeen]

Glad you joined our flock! Pull up a roost!

If they are "new" chicks....just a few days old...I would to not shock them/give them security especially if TSC had one on them in the store. Start weening them off in a night or two. I used a timer and reduced the hours nightly. I used a very low wattage lamp - 50 watts. Check your daily day temperatures to see if you really need it on during the day. It's so hot up here in DE I can only imagine how it is for you in Florida!

 

[Melissacoop]

I live in Florida too. I just started with babies two months ago. I set them up on the outdoor patio in a ventilated bin and I never used a lamp. I put a thermometer in the bottom with them and made sure they stayed about 95 degrees for first few weeks. They did great!

 

[Folly's place]

I think that using a brooder plate rather than a heat lamp works best, especially in warm weather. The chicks can get under it when needed, and won't ever be too warm or too cold out there. TSC sells one here, and Premier1supplies is a great resource for supplies!
Mary

 

[mamamage]

don't forget to check for pasty butt!!