Turning off heat lamp

[willy3486]

About what temp do I need to turn off the heat lamp? I have some pullets that are around 20 days old. The local weather temps here are averaging highs of the mid 80s and lows at night in the mid 60s. They are still laying under the light and opening out their wings like they are hot. I have them in a large box,roughly 4 ft by 5 ft. So there are areas they could go to be cooler. I just don't want them to get too hot from the lamp. Any suggestions as to cut it off at a certain age of the chicks or weather temp?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Start turning it off during the day for a few days, than eventually for the night as well. I like to slowly wean them off it. Many will actually get attached to their light as if it were a mother hen. So when it goes out they panic, so watch their behaviors.

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

At 2 weeks I turned off lamp. At night they would chirp as though they were scared. They did that for about 2 more weeks, but it was only lasted for 5 minutes. But oldhen is right

 

[leslielbk]

Chiming in here - I got my 19 chicks on Wed., and they've been good little sleepers wed & thurs night, but tonight? I turned off the light and they screamed their heads off!! Poor little things

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chiming in here - I got my 19 chicks on Wed., and they've been good little sleepers wed & thurs night, but tonight? I turned off the light and they screamed their heads off!! Poor little things

Chicks quickly start to think of their heat light as their mom and get upset when it first goes out. I often leave it off a few hours than put it back on later in the night. They start to get used to going without it before I leave it off completely.

 

[WickedChicksNH]

when I started turning off the heat lamp I gave them a little night light, it seems to work fine for them