new to chickens, new chicks, new pics and 2 questions

[otonoh]

Good morning everyone, I have been planning on Chickens all fall and winter, My coop is about 85% done, just need the run constructed and I am done.

I researched all winter and came across golden Comets and thought I would try them. I like the fact that they are color bred. So I hiked an hour to TSC and picked up 6. I also
stopped at a fellow bychicken guy and he gave me 4 silver laced wyandottes.

when I got to Tractor supply I saw that the golden comets were a straight run. From what I read, the pullets are supposed to be darker with strips while the roo's are almost white.
I asked about that at Tractor supply and they just looked at me funny. They hadn't heard of color bred. Am I imagining this?? I had them give me the darkest they could find, just in case I correct.

Here are my chicks, What do you think http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f381/Pezguy81/chicks/?albumview=slideshow

now for the question. I have a red 250w heat light on them, and they all are active not too hot or cold. Do you normally supplement the light with another during the day and then shut it off at night, or is the red light enough?

thanks

David

 

[bburn]

from Arkansas

I don't use a red light....only because I did not have one. Mine do fine. You will find all your answers here....someone will post.

 

[galanie]

The red light really should be enough. Usually there is ambient sunlight or other light during the day so they know day from night but it's not incredibly important.

 

[otonoh]

they are in my finished basement bathroom so there is no natural light.

 

[Fred's Hens]

A 250wt will be plenty enough. Leave it on 24/7. However, if you see the chicks congregate at the far end of the brooder, away from the light, it is simply too hot, which that much wattage can do. Be prepared to raise the bulb a few inches each week. By week 4, they just won't appreciate the heat like they do when they are newly hatched.

At four weeks, they will need lots of space. They'll jump/fly almost 3 feet. Since May is almost upon us, you'll easily be able to move them to the coop as soon as you get it finished. If you have the ability to run an exterior extension cord out there, you could move them to the coop now, no reason not to. They won't use the run for awhile anyhow.

You got some very gorgeous chicks.

 

[debid]

Straight run sex links? Hilarious! And, you are correct, the females are golden-red and the males are white. Yours are all pullets presuming that they at least got the breed correct.

 

[blefky]

Quote:
x 2

 

[Ceilismom]

Quote:
I am currently brooding my first batch of chicks ever. I too have them in a windowless bathroom with a 250 watt red lamp on them. I do turn on the overhead light/exhaust fan during the day, and turn it off at night. I am hoping this will help them to adjust to real day/night once they're out in the coop. They do seem to get quieter when the overhead light is off.

 

[LilyD]

I just use one red light and it seems to be enough with under 50 chicks. I also ordered Comets and yes they are color sexable. The girls are a darker reddish color and the boys are white with some red tints to them. They are both very different looking. I have 17girls coming and 8 boys that should be here on Friday. I can post pictures for you to see then.