new chicks...heat lamp at night too?

[rskellenger54]

Do I leave the lamp on at night? It's south FL.....I could bring them inside....they are under a week old....

 

[maizey]

first week 95 degrees 24/7 then back down 5 degrees every week until feathered out enough...it will be 95 in south florida soon enough, but probably not now

 

[gryeyes]

Oh MY. The brooding cycle is pretty close to this:

First 3 days, 95-100 degrees. Yes, 24/7. All of these steps.
Remainder of first week: 90-95 degrees.
Second week: 85-90 degrees.
Third week: 80-85
Fourth: 75-80
Fifth: 70-75
Sixth: 65-70
Seventh: 60-65
Eighth: 55-60 degrees.

If the night time temperatures equal that of the specific age week, then there's no need for a heat lamp at night. And, obviously, if day time temps are as high or higher as the specific week, then the heat lamp doesn't need to be turned on until the temps drop at night.