So I know my chicks need a heat lamp. I've been doing a lot of reading, and read somewhere that if you have a wire brooder you need another bulb for a night light. Doesn't the heat light need to stay on all the time??????? I will be raising my chicks in some old bathtubs.
Yes, the heat lamp stays on to keep a steady temperature. I'm not sure what they were talking about when they mentioned a night light.
Yeah I keep my heat lamp on 24/7 until they are about one and a half months to two months old. Every week you just raise the heat lamp a little so the temperature drops 5-7 degrees each time. You'll want to buy a thermometer to lay in the bottom of the coop. For the first week they need 90-95 degree temps. Just make sure they have a cool side so they can get out of the heat if they are getting too warm. I don't know about them needing a night light. The heat lamp should be more than enough light. See what everyone else says about that.
The heat bulb doesnt have to give light off. some folks use ceramic or infrared bulbs. The ceramic last longer and you really dont have to worry about them burning out over night. The day light source can be a regular bulb or even a energy saver bulb.
no just heat but make sure they have some kind of day light. They wouldn't do well in a dark closet for example. Chickens cant see in the dark so depending on how you have them covered as long as they have natural light to eat drink play and grow 3/4 of the day they be fine.
