Weaning off the lamp.

[willr]

Hello, I have 4 week chicks. RIR's I think. I moved them out into the coop at week 3 because they were picking on each other and I decided it was because the brooder was too small for them. I moved the heat lamp out with them because I live in Northern VT and we have had some cold nights (30ish), plus they were not fully feathered yet. They are getting pretty feathery and the days are now warm, they run around most of the day outside now. But we are still having cool nights. (40's-50s).

I would love to wean them off the lamp but my coop is low so I cant really raise it a lot. Currently the light is about 24 inches off the floor and I leave a window wide open and they sleep on the floor between the lamp and window. When can I just pull the lamp?

Thanks!

 

[Fred's Hens]

These are great for less heat, when the chicks get older. They are just decorative flood lamps. I like them because the lens is thick and hard, less chance of breaking with rowdy older chicks. 100 watts instead of the electricity sucking 250 watt IR lamps. These are enough to take the edge off. The red color helps in keeping them calm.

Any HomeDepot, Lowes, etc.

I actually employ them after week 1. The IR lamps are so hot, they're a bit scary.

 

[willr]

That's a good idea, thanks. At a certain point, is it okay to just pull the lamp all at once? Once they are fully feathered? A warmish night?

 

[dheltzel]

I agree, use a lower wattage bulb to wean them off the heat. Saves money too. A dimmer switch works really well for this as well. I use a desktop lamp dimmer that plugs inline, costs about $12 at the home centers.

 

[dheltzel]

That's a good idea, thanks. At a certain point, is it okay to just pull the lamp all at once? Once they are fully feathered? A warmish night?

Yes, when they are fully feathered, or the nights are warm.

 

[willr]

Thanks guys!