Turning Chicks Heat Lamp Off - Outside

[jaimepowell]

I have 3 rhode island reds and two bantams -- they are about 6-7 weeks old now and moved outside (in KS) last week. It's in 40's during the night and 50-70's during the day. They are out and about a lot during the day and I still have their heat lamp on in the coop all the time. Should I start turing it off during the day first and is it ok to do that now?! Help! Thanks

 

[Chickiegirls2]

I think you would be fine to turn off the light during the day but I would leave it on at night!

 

[Tala]

Oh yeah, I would have started cutting them back a couple of weeks ago myself. By 7 weeks they probably have plenty of feathers, especially for the daytime temps.
I use a dusk to dawn Christmas light timer to wean them off the lamp. You should lower the wattage of the lamp (maybe a 40watt?) but still keep it on at night for about a week longer if it's 40's since you only have 3 chicks that's not very many to snuggle up. You don't want it to be basking-temperature under the lamp, but just kinda give them a place to go if they get chilly.

 

[chicmom]

I wouldn't use a heat lamp at all, with temps like that. As long as your little flock is fully feathered, they'll be just fine.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Mine wouldn't either, but I raise them that way. With Arkansas temps they would be on night lamp-only by 3 weeks. But it kinda sounds like the OP's have been pampered with the lamp, so they probably should be weaned down with a lower wattage before they're off the heat completely. Just my opinion of course. Probably neither way would really hurt them.

 

[jaimepowell]

Thanks all--I have lots of Christmas light timers--what a good idea

Thanks!!!