Would just past 2 weeks be too early to remove the heat lamp if they are inside a warm room?

[Hannahdoesntexist]

So my 4 isa brown chicks have just gone past 2 weeks as of today and are perfectly happy running around my room without their heat lamp and more often than not they seem to pant a little and get overheated. The lamp is about 10cm above the cage top and I cannot adjust it higher since stupidly it has no actual holder other than the lamp shade part. I have a small portable heater in here which produces more than enough heat to keep them happy. So since they are inside with no draft, am I able to remove the heat lamp sooner rather than at 4 weeks? The other real issue with keeping it on longer is that they are in my bedroom and I have not had a proper sleep in 2 weeks with the bright light shining in my eyes. I've been able to improve the brightness by moving the cage and having the light go straight down on them but it's still as bright as a bedside lamp. They are pretty peaceful at night but I am the sort of person who needs the room fully dark. If it was as easy as moving them to a different room I would have days ago honestly but they are attached to me and peep when I leave them for too long and there's no other room safe enough for them. it is winter here but my room is often quite stuffy, especially if the windows are closed. I of course don't want to risk their heath and if it is too early then i'll keep it for as long as I need to.

 

[BantyChooks]

I always go by the birds' behaviour rather than quantitative metrics. If they are acting comfortable with no additional heat, then there is no harm in removing the lamp. Watch them for loud peeping and huddling behaviours. They'll let you know if they are chilled. Good luck!

 

[Buckeye Amy]

I agree with what @BantyChooks said. If they aren't complaining about being cold, they are content. I have raised many broods of chicks outside in July when the heat is in the 90s, and they rarely need heat past the first 2 nights. That's why I love raising chicks in the summer!