Stop using heat lamp?

[Joecool1994]

I'm not really sure when I should stop using a heat lamp, I had it turned off for the whole day today and they seemed to just be laying there. I went out tonight (they are in our closed up garage) and they were still just sitting there. I got their water out to re-change it and they hadn't had a whole lot to drink out of it like they usually have between morning when I change it to night. I was wondering if they should always have a source of light at all times? I turned it back on tonight and a few of them shot straight up and went directly to the food while the other 3 were moving/running around. (I have 3 BOs at 4 1/2 weeks and SLWs at 3 1/2 weeks old) I don't know if the light will damage their eye sight by it going from a tad bit of light from the windows during the day to turning the heat lamp on for a light source for them while it's pitch black. I know they should be sleeping but would they lay there all day with no light and not even go for the water/food?

Any help on heat lamps and sources of light for chicks would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much guys!

 

[JanO]

If they weren't moving until you turned the light back on odds are they were chilled and trying to keep warm. Don't worry about the lamp hurting their eyes, they will be fine. I keep a light on 24/7 while they are in the brooder; 8 weeks minimum.

 

[Joecool1994]

If they weren't moving until you turned the light back on odds are they were chilled and trying to keep warm. Don't worry about the lamp hurting their eyes, they will be fine. I keep a light on 24/7 while they are in the brooder; 8 weeks minimum.

Ok awesome, thank you very much JanO! I didn't want them to go blind lol so it's good to know they will be fine. I forgot to mention but it's about 75 degrees outside right now and was in the mid to high 80s earlier so I wasn't sure if they were cold or not but I've never seen them go into the other corners to get away from the light.

 

[JanO]

As long as they have access to a spot that is not under the light they will utilize it if they are warm. You can always raise your light if you think it's necessary to cool things off a bit.

 

[Joecool1994]

As long as they have access to a spot that is not under the light they will utilize it if they are warm. You can always raise your light if you think it's necessary to cool things off a bit.

Oh yeah, we have it as far into one of the corners as we can. And yes, we will have to design the light to where it's not supporting on the chicken wire covering the top of our tub. (We have it clicked on a board to the side of their home and stretched over having the light lean on the chicken wire for the light isn't strong enough to lift) Will have to design something in the morning to raise it off the chicken wire.

 

[wsmith]

Always use an infared lamp, not a normal light bulb. 24/7 with a white light will encourage aggressive behavior which can go badly.

If you can, get a thermostat that you can plug your heat lamp into. As they start growing in their feathers, turn it down a degree or two every couple of days. When they are fully feathered, which can vary by breed, they no longer need supplimental heat.

Chicks know the temperature they like. If they are huddled under the heat lamp, it is probably too cold. If they are all around the edges of the lighted area, its probably too warm. Chickens roost and sleep together, especially in the winter. That is how they stay warm in sub-freezing temperatures.