When do I turn off the quail brooder heat lamp?

[hypnofrogstevie]

I think they are on week 4. They hatched in between the third and fourth week of november. I want to move them into 2 separate areas. cortunix stay in the 55 gallon tank and the buttons will go in the 20 or 15 gallon tank.

here is the hatching thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=107860

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

someone must know? First time having quail babies last this long without getting killed

 

[shelleyd2008]

I'm thinking 4 weeks, but it might be 6? Not 100% sure.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I think you're good to turn it off at 4 weeks, but turn it off while you're home and see. If they huddle together, they are too cold and not quite ready. Mine started laying at 5 weeks so by 4, they should be ok. Depends of course on where you have them and the temp.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

my room temp fluctuates between 60-70F.I am turning it off now and see what will happen.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Oh heck - they should be fine. Mine are in the basement which averages 50-60 right now. Mine are 3 weeks old today and I'll probably turn it off later this week.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

So far so good. I keep reminding myself not to whistle around them. They start hopping and freaking out.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Yeah, boinked heads are not a good thing LOL.

 

[what was i thinking]

i woke up one morning and the light was off. my dh had decided on his own that it was time. doesn't know anything about them. just the fact that they had feathers and he thinks the lamp help with making the smell worse. so he turns it off when ever i turn my back. so off it is. they lived. they were born nov. 23. three weeks today. but we also keep our house about 72 at all times. i am going to move them to the barn this week, maybe tomorrow. then they may get some light again. my barn is heated but only to 40.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

Let me know how they do? Mine is going to be in the house till I can build their cages in the spring.