Question About Heating Lamp

[CitySilkies88]

So I am keeping my brooder and chicks in my mudroom at the back door. My house is 82 during the day right now and in the upper 80s at night. I have kept my heating lamp on the chicks all day long/most of the night until 2am (when I go to bed). I worry about fire hazards and so I turned off the lamp and set my alarm for 7am to turn it back on. The chicks seem fine, though they are bundled together sleeping when I turn the lamp back on.

They are under a week old. Is it harmful to turn off their lamp for this long of a period of time? If it is. Is it alright if I turn off the lamp and set a space heater in the mudroom for the time I am asleep?

 

[QualityPolish]

Well personally I would think because they are so young I wouldn't recommend doing this. When they get a few weeks under their belt, go ahead but right now since they are so young I would keep it on all the time. Because since they are huddled it means they're trying to huddle for heat. If they're spread out on the farthest end of the brooder away from the heat it means they are to hot, therefore you could turn off the lamp. As for adding the heater, the only reason why I would worry is because they cant get away from it like they can the light. Does that make sense? It would be like being in the desert with no small AC room, the heat is there but we can't escape it. This is what the chick would feel like if it so happened it got to hot. Now, since it is in the upper 80's you may be safe... I can't remember the exact temp. they recommend since I haven't had brooder chicks for awhile (I know, it's so sad lol)

Well sorry for not giving you an exact answer but hope some of this helped.

QP

 

[Fierlin1182]

At that age, I would think they'd benefit from having the light on all the time. I live in Australia, so it's pretty hot here, and even so we kept the light on 24/7 for the first couple of weeks after getting the chicks.

The huddling together is probably to keep warm.

 

[CitySilkies88]

Thanks for the info guys! I definately don't want to harm/hinder them in any way.

 

[felidaet]

I agree that I think they need the heat lamp 24 hours a day. Yes the heat lamp can be a fire hazard. Don't trust just the clamp on it. Secure it if 2 or 3 different ways.

 

[azygous]

I agree that I think they need the heat lamp 24 hours a day. Yes the heat lamp can be a fire hazard. Don't trust just the clamp on it. Secure it if 2 or 3 different ways.

And do not use string to secure the lamp. There was a heart-breaking thread a while back where the OP had secured the heat lamp with string. The string came in contact with the hot lamp shield, catching fire and fell to the ground, igniting the bedding.

If you are very worried about leaving the heat lamp on all night, try filling a gallon plastic milk jug with hot water and placing that into the brooder before you go to bed. It should keep the chicks toasty until you turn the heat lamp back on in the morning.

 

[CitySilkies88]

Thanks again everyone I appreciate all the advice. I have anxiety disorder/OCD and have a fear of my house catching fire in my sleep..........Lol makes alot of sense that I would have a brooder in my home huh? But we made it through the night and nothing bad happened so YAY for that. I do have the lamp secured two different ways. And I definately will keep the hot water jug idea in mind if my anxiety gets too bad.