Some questions on my baby buff orpingtons

[Scarletpyxi]

I just got my first two chicks, they are beautiful buff orpingtons. I only have two and I think they are about a week old. They have a heater for heating and a regular light. I was wondering how many hours of light they require each day?

I was also wondering if anyone knows if this breed likes eating ants?

Thanks in advance for any answers you may have!

 

[HEChicken]

Most chickens do not like ants because they don't taste good. [Ladybugs don't taste good either. Don't ask me how I know.]

From hatch until about 3 weeks old they need supplemental heat 24/7 but you can decrease the temperature by about 5 degrees per week. Ideally of course they could have a normal day/night schedule from day one as chicks who are raised under a broody do, but when raising them in a brooder we do the best we can and many a chick has been raised with light round the clock with seemingly no long-term ill effects. I now use a red light as the light from that does not seem as harsh to have on them day and night.