I just received 8 new baby chicks today. 6 weeks ago I got 7 chicks. Well, I only have one heat light and it has been mostly on over the 6 week olds. At 6 week it's safe to take the heat lamp away right? The reason I ask is because I want to use my lamp for the new chicks and I don't want to have to go out and buy a second light. The chicks are in the garage so it's protected from wind and rain and it's a little warmer than the outside.
Yep by 6 weeks they should be fully feathered. Week 1 85* week 2 80* week 3 75* week 4 70* and after that they would not really need the heat except at night under 70*. I personally think the older chicks will be ok w/o the heat. Are they going outside? You said in the garage so that will be fine. Just give them a box close to the light and that will be just fine w/o the heat. Good luck and enjoy the new kids.
Week six is transition week. During week six, it is normal to wean them off the heat, altogether. You've lowered the wattage and/or raised the lamp each week. By week 5, they should really be only getting some supplemental heat and during week 6, almost nothing during the say, and only a little assistance at night. I suspect that your garage will be just fine for your 6 week olds, if, if they've been getting the proper acclimation all along. It's tough to go from been over-spoiled at 80 degree temps and suddenly thrust into 50 degree temps.
