Reptile heat light in coop?

[ValerieJ]

So you'll be integrating too?
If so, yes will need to set up a run around this little coop.


Do it now. Do not turn it back on tonight. They may squeal but will be fine.

I turned the heat off last night, but left the Sweeter Heater on. There will be something for heat out in the coop. Yes, I'll be integrating, but they will be in a pen of their own for quite a while. I like to wait until they are near to full sized because I have a low tolerance for pecking. I have 3 adjacent runs, so segregation/integration is easy.

 

[aart]

I turned the heat off last night, but left the Sweeter Heater on.

Turn the sweet heater off too.
Get them off the heat totally...then no need for heat in the coop.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Really? Why? Can I just shock them into 30 degree nights?

At 6 weeks, probably but my point is that the room is 75. They haven't needed an additional heat source for the last 3 weeks.
I have 2 week old chicks in a 75 F room and I took away their heat plate a few days ago.
If you keep giving them heat and keep the room that warm, they'll never become acclimated to cooler temperatures. Especially fall chicks that will continue to see dropping temps. The sooner they acclimatize the better for their well being.

 

[ValerieJ]

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[aart]

'Tough Love' can be tough.
Best of Luck!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks again for all the help!

You're welcome.

 

[SueT]

I wean my brooder chicks completely off heat by 3 weeks, and they don't seem to miss it at that point. This years' chicks were raised by a hen. She had them outdoors in low 50's at 2 days old, and they spent a fair amount of time not under her. In this pic, they are 3 or 4 days old and handling all kinds of rough and tumble activities in cool wet conditions. After observing them I realized I really made it too easy for my brooder babies.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I wean my brooder chicks completely off heat by 3 weeks, and they don't seem to miss it at that point. This years' chicks were raised by a hen. She had them outdoors in low 50's at 2 days old, and they spent a fair amount of time not under her. In this pic, they are 3 or 4 days old and handling all kinds of rough and tumble activities in cool wet conditions. After observing them I realized I really made it too easy for my brooder babies.
View attachment 1925368

So well said. When I brood I try to replicate nature. A hen can't heat all the ambient air, she just provides one small hot spot and as you say, they just don't spend that much time under her. I've had broody hens with chicks in below freezing temps.

Very pretty bird by the way.

 

[ValerieJ]

I wean my brooder chicks completely off heat by 3 weeks, and they don't seem to miss it at that point. This years' chicks were raised by a hen. She had them outdoors in low 50's at 2 days old, and they spent a fair amount of time not under her. In this pic, they are 3 or 4 days old and handling all kinds of rough and tumble activities in cool wet conditions. After observing them I realized I really made it too easy for my brooder babies.
View attachment 1925368

I had a hen who raised her own chicks too. And you're right, they were outside by day 3. They were also fall babies. I was supposed to have a hen raise these chicks, but by the time they got here, she changed her mind about being broody. LOL

 

[ValerieJ]

@SueT that hen is so beautiful. What is it?