When to turn off the light?

[MoonShadows]

My chicks have had light 24/7 for the past 6 weeks because of their heat lamp. They no longer really need the heat lamp, and my coop is still not finished (it will have plenty of natural light.) If I shut off the heat lamp, should I still provide some "small" light to transition them to night darkness, or do you let them go to darkness cold turkey?

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Usually you turn the heat lamp off at about 6-8 of raising your birds. You could keep the lamp on if you wanted it wouldn't hurt the birds but it would waste electricity.

 

[MoonShadows]

No, my question was not about keeping the heat lamp on. I have been using the heat lamp for heat and light. They don't need the heat anymore. Do I just let it be dark in the brooder at night, or do I need some type of light since they are used to it? Do I transition them to darkness at night, or just plunge them into it?

 

[BrendaJ]

I usually start by turning it off during the day when they have more natural light and they are old enough not to need a heat source. I leave it on for the first couple nights for transition but raise the light up higher. After a couple days I stop using the light all together but it depends on your set up.

 

[10xmama]

I was wondering the same thing. Mine are 5wks old. Here's what I have figured out on my own ....

I have been turning off my brooder light during the day and turning it back on around 7:00pm as a way to draw them into the coop. It works like a charm.

The last three nights I have gone out to the coop around 11:00 pm and turned it off ... I have a switch outside the coop so I didn't even have to disturb them to turn it off. It was quiet when I approached the coop and I didn't hear a peep when I turned the light off.

Tonight I decided to turn it off earlier. I went out at 9:30pm and turned it off. Right away I heard chirping and crying. I left it off though. I have not gone back out to see if they settled down ... so I guess I'm being firm with them...

I think I will do this again for a few nights; keep the light turn-off time at 9:30pm. Then I will try to reduce it to 8:00pm for a few nights. Then see if I can get them to go into the coop on their own with no light.

So all that was to say I think a gradual approach is nice ... and it has served a purpose in helping them learn to go into their coop from the run at night.

 

[MoonShadows]

Thanks for the responses. I took the heat lamp away since they are 6 weeks old and seem not to need it at this point. I then replaced it with a 6o watt bulb. I will begin raising this over the next few days, then shut it off during the day, then eventually try turning it off completely a few days later.

 

[sandysylvester]

Mine are 6 weeks as well and have just graduated to outside. I have a 60watt I turn on at dusk. Once they are settled and in I turn the light off for the night. They go right to bed. There is really no reason to keep it on all night. they are fully feathered mini chickens, so may as well get them used to it.