When to shut off the lights at night?

[mcjessen]

I know this question has been asked but I can't find the thread.

How old would you suggest chicks be before you shut off the heat lamp at night? I know the heat lamp serves two purposes (light & heat) but I have the girls in the garage in their coop at the moment and as the weather warms up (maybe - we had snow this a.m. - AGAIN) I won't need the heat as much. DH unplugged the heat lamp this weekend to move it and all three girls started peeping like crazy. Clearly they are not ready to be in the dark yet. LOL! But when? I wonder when I should start weaning them off the heat lamp. They are almost all feathered out expect for their heads.

Thanks!

 

[gamebirdsonly]

I usually start around six weeks of age as long as they have feathered out unless it's still real cold then go 8 weeks of age.

 

[suzyQlou]

Mine are 6 weeks old. I just shut off the heat lamp yesterday. They are warm enough, but they didn't like the dark. I added a little night light to help ease the transition. They seemed to be fine with that.

 

[mcjessen]

Okay, thanks. We're at about 4 weeks yesterday so I've still got a little time.