When can the chicks sleep without the light?

[Peeps59]

Hi Everyone! This is my first post so please be patient w/me. I've used this site for all my information & it's been a blessing. I've found almost all of my questions answered. Thank you! BUT - I've had my chicks for 4 1/2 weeks and can't believe how big they are! I switched the heat lamp to a 100 watt light bulb but am wondering if they could do without it at night. They are in my daughters' room and the temp is 60+ degrees. They seem to have all their feathers except for their heads - they still have some baby feathers (is this normal?) . Also, they are buff orphingtons & one seems to have growing a red thingie on her chin. Does this mean she's a he???? OR will they all get them?

 

[gritsar]

Okay, at 4 1/2 weeks they need temps. to be about 75 to 80; maybe a little lower. Once they have that without their light, they can be without it. Using a red bulb instead of white would help them get used to periods of day and night and I'll bet they'd be quieter so your daughter could sleep too.
If you have a 4 1/2 week old buff orp. with wattles (the red things under their chin) showing, chances are you have yourself a cockerel (a young rooster). They will all get wattles, but not that young.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Ditto here! and

from Ohio

 

[Peeps59]

Thanks! Did you mean put in a red bulb @ night & a white one in the day?
Also, if one of the "girls" is a rooster, will he get mean? He/she is so affectionate now I would hate for him to get icky!!!

We play with them every day & they are very friendly.

 

[lalaland]

no, many roosters are friendly - you'll just have to watch and see. usually need about 10 hens per rooster - to keep the hens from being "overused" when the rooster starts mating. This is just in general, and you know how that works, there are ALWAYS exceptions to the general rule. so, a heads up, if it turns out you have a roo, you might have to either add more hens or re-home him, or you could have the exception to the rule and be just fine.

If you change to a red heat bulb, you can use it day and night and do not have to switch it out.

 

[Peeps59]

Cool!! I'm going with the postive approch & know that they'll be fine. If he's naughty, he'll just have to do time outs
Thanks again for helping!!!

 

[cmom]

I keep a 11 watt red sign light bulb on in my coop 24/7. Like a night light. One night it burned out and all the birds were on the floor instead of the roosts. I think because they are used to the light.

 

[gritsar]

If your daughter's room has some natural light from a window I would use a red bulb all the time. They'll adjust to night and day easier that way.