red heater light

[Chickens? WOW]

Should I have a red light, a white light or both? When do I use any light? I will get my chickens really soon and I need some helpful hints. BTW The chicks will be golden comet sex linked.

 

[TipsyDog]

I like the red light. It allows them to sleep better at night and reduces stress and picking. The white light would be like daylight all the time. Congrats on getting chicks, I hope you really enjoy them!

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

Get one of either, I use a white light and have never had any problems with my chicks. But that could be just mine, I would get a red light just to be safe...good luck!

 

[Eagle2026]

Depending on how many you get the RED light will hide blood if they start to peck at ea other.
But, I do know that people like to use white?
I use RED.

Just me though,
Mike

 

[mdbokc]

I guess I have always just been lucky. Used a standard white bulb each time and never had any difficulties.

Of course, now that I know more than I used to....I'll likely use a combination or something next time...red at night, white during day. I don't know.

 

[lacomo]

I've always used a white light and never had a problem but I always make sure my chicks have plenty of room. I think if you croud them you will have problems no matter what color of light you use.

 

[TXmom]

I use only red, and my husband put a dimmer switch on it to control how bright/hot it was. It's easy to adjust if the chicks seem too cold or too warm.

You'll need to have the light on them 24/7 for the first few weeks because they need the warmth at all times. If they get cold, they can die from the chill or accidentally smother each other while trying to stay warm.

 

[Chicken Little Farmer]

I use a red heat lamp and it works great. I can just move it up and down if my chicks are to hot or cold. They say that using red helps them to sleep and reduces them from picking at each other, but i havn't tested that out. You should probably keep the light on for the first few weeks, then you can switch it off a little at a time for the third and fourth week, and the fifth and sixth you can keep it off longer. at the sixth you can turn it off completly, depending on if they are in a garage or the house, because thay need to be kept at about 65 degrees F. You might want to turn it on at night if it gets any colder.
I never turned the light out when they were three weeks but at the fourth i put them outside for a little bit, but it was about 65- 70 degrees. I really depends on where you live, and where you're keeping them.

 

[buckabucka]

My chicks have not come yet either. We're buying a heat emitter (which I read about on this site). It gives off heat, but no light, so the chicks sleep at night. They are going to be in the house for a while, and I wanted to be able to sleep!
We plan to buy a red bulb also, just as back-up in case we need it. We're also going to use a dimmer switch. I am very excited about getting our first chickens!

 

[felidaet]

I use a red heat lamp. You definitely need to keep it on all the time for the first few weeks to keep them warm. There are lot's of threads on here talking about this.

Congrats on getting Gold Comets. I have one of them. She lays an X-Large egg nearly every day. She layed throughout the winter. I am going to get another 2 - 4 sex links in a week or two. Hopefully someone will have Gold Comets available.