Turning heat lamp off for chicks

[rmbwicz]

I am going out of town for a week and I’m worried about leaving the heat lamp on while I’m gone. My chicks are 3 weeks old, will they be okay without the lamp? House is set at 72.

 

[sylviethecochin]

I am going out of town for a week and I’m worried about leaving the heat lamp on while I’m gone. My chicks are 3 weeks old, will they be okay without the lamp? House is set at 72.

Welcome to BYC!

I doubt it. Especially if they're used to the lamp and the temp provided by it. I'm assuming you have the lamp relatively close to the box? If you remove the lamp, your brooder temp is probably going to drop something like 10-15 degrees. How would you do going from 72 to 60? It's a similar adjustment, and you're rather larger than they are. Since they're young, their immune systems aren't fully developed, and if they catch something on top of the stress of the cold, they could easily die.

I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving baby chicks alone for a week. Sometimes, things just happen and you need to respond to it quickly. Can you pawn them off on a relative or something for that week?

 

[Ms Clucky]

Depends on what kind of chicks they are. If they are bantams, they need the heat lamp. You might want to get a chick sitter.

 

[PNWJewele]

I am going out of town for a week and I’m worried about leaving the heat lamp on while I’m gone. My chicks are 3 weeks old, will they be okay without the lamp? House is set at 72.

I'm dealing with the same situation. Needed to fast track them to be without the heat lamp. Two days ago, I switched the heat lamp for a 75 watt light bulb. Today I moved the crate I have them in outside. I've checked on them and so far so great.

How many chicks and the breed may make a difference on the advice. But this is the thread I've been reading for ideas:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/integrating-chicks-into-flock-at-4-weeks-old.1159151/

This link goes to my first post on the thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-at-4-weeks-old.1159151/page-16#post-21006003

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am going out of town for a week and I’m worried about leaving the heat lamp on while I’m gone. My chicks are 3 weeks old, will they be okay without the lamp? House is set at 72.

Hi @rmbwicz Welcome To BYC

If you have photos of your brooder setup and the chicks, those would be appreciated.
Do you have someone who is going to be checking on your chicks for the week you are gone?

 

[rmbwicz]

Welcome to BYC!

I doubt it. Especially if they're used to the lamp and the temp provided by it. I'm assuming you have the lamp relatively close to the box? If you remove the lamp, your brooder temp is probably going to drop something like 10-15 degrees. How would you do going from 72 to 60? It's a similar adjustment, and you're rather larger than they are. Since they're young, their immune systems aren't fully developed, and if they catch something on top of the stress of the cold, they could easily die.

I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving baby chicks alone for a week. Sometimes, things just happen and you need to respond to it quickly. Can you pawn them off on a relative or something for that week?

 

[rmbwicz]

Ill see if I can find someone to watch them. Maybe I can make a smaller makeshift brooder.

 

[rmbwicz]

Ill see if I can find someone to watch them. Maybe I can make a smaller makeshift brooder.

Hi @rmbwicz Welcome To BYC

If you have photos of your brooder setup and the chicks, those would be appreciated.
Do you have someone who is going to be checking on your chicks for the week you are gone?

I can take picture when I get home, I have 1 English Orpington/Brahma mix and the other chick is a ATWOOD surprise

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

They'll be fine..... can't pamper them all the time.

 

[djstanczak]

I would be worried that they ran out water or filled it up with wood chips. We have to change water and add feed twice a day. Also how big of an area are they in, if you have many they will be in pretty dirty conditions within 3 days.