When to stop the heat?

[AmeraucanaHank]

hi,
I have 3 week old chicks with 2 week old chicks and they have had heat lamp their hole life and today I saw one of the older one panting! Should I start to take away the heat lamp? It's been in the 70-90 lately and their in a pretty warm garage. Thanks!

 

[LizGio]

You need a big enough space that is warm under the lamp but cooler further away. Chicks will move to where they're most comfortable. Heat plates better than lamps IMO. Probably safe to decrease heat. They will cuddle for warmth. Better to be a little cool than too hot.

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

Heat plates better than lamps IMO

more expensive though.

 

[Brooks_]

more expensive though.

Safer overall though.

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

Safer overall though.

I know, but I can't right now maybe in a couple of years. I'm sorry.

 

[LizGio]

more expensive though.

Safer overall though.

I was just typing that. Try Facebook marketplace?? Might find one cheap

 

[springvalley123]

Instead of buying a heat plate, you can just use lower wattage heat bulbs. There are red heat bulbs in the pet section of walmart that are 75 watts. I found that just right for 13 chicks in the laundry room. I was going to try my 250 watt bulb but it got up to 113F during my trial period.

 

[LizGio]

Always burn bulb in a ventilated space before using in brooder to burn off any yucky toxic stuff. I've been reading about some bulbs having a coating that killed chicks. I don't personally have any extensive experience with lamps.

 

[Brooks_]

I know, but I can't right now maybe in a couple of years. I'm sorry.

I have not seen them as that expensive. Just keep an eye out. And in the warm season I have brooded with a 100w incandescent.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Switch to a lower wattage bulb, dim it, or raise it further/move it further away. The older ones probably don't need it at all given your temperatures but younger ones likely do, so they still need access but also need to be able to get away from heat if needed.