When to turn off the lamps...

[DVTO2]

So my golden comets are about 4 weeks old and have been doing well in their coop with heat lamps for about two weeks. At this point I have been keeping the temperature in the 75 to 80 degrees range but how far can I let the temperatures drop at this point and when can I turn off the lamps? It's been getting about 45 to 50 degrees at night here in CT.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

If it's hitting near to 80 during the day then at four weeks I'd turn the lights off during the day. At night turn them on again. At five weeks if they are fully feathered and their brooder is not in a drafty location I'd leave the lights off altogether unless there is a cold snap. At six weeks they're ready to go on the ground if the weather is fit. The last week or two in the brooder I like to allow them to get used to the natural light/dark cycles.

.....Alan.