[Cat]

We got 8 baby chicks today. They are about a week old. The man at the shop told us to keep a heating lamp on, as it is cold. We have them in a small cage at the moment with the heating lamp. They are inside our house and the cage is covered.

Do I need to keep the light on 24/7 or should I turn it off at night?

Thanks  

[Hawkins]

Hi cat, congrats on getting your new babies. I`m not an expert and someone more knowledgeable will be along soon but when we got our ducks at a day old the light had to stay on 24/7. It is only now that they are 6 weeks old that we turn it off during the day and they have it at night as it is really cold at the moment.

Oh and welcome to the mad house, I hope youve got your camera ready as we all want to see some pictures.

Em

[Cat]

Thanks I will take some pic tomorrow. Hubby is still building their coup. But even if he finished it tomorrow , I think that I will keep them in the cage inside for a while longer.  

[Aunt Sally]

There'slots of people on here who rear chicks.  One of them will be along soon I'm sure.

[richyrich7]

Hi Cat yes keep them warm, if they huddle round the light they are cold if they move as far away as possible they are too warm.
Been a long while since we bought up day olds but I had the heater on for quite a few weeks, we used a heat pad rather than a light.  

[Aunt Sally]

Oh, I do know it is importaint that their feet can get a good grip on their floor and not slip when they try to stand !!!

[Vember]

Hi Cat

Welcome to the hen house

Chicks need heat for quite a while 24/7, at this time of year about 8 +weeks depending on how quick they feather up etc...  At a week old a temp of approx 90f (32ish Celsius) is best.
This temp can be reduced by 5f (3c) every week, eventually (5/6 ish weeks) doing as Hawkins Say's turning the lamp off during the day

I always use old tea towels for the bottom of their brooder as this allows a good grip as Aunt Sally has mentioned.

Are they eating & drinking ok? You have got them on chick crumbs ??


Sarah

[Kate and her Ducks]

Actually I have heard that the light 24 hours a day can be bad for them. They need heat 24 hours a day when little but the light can be detrimental. Wish I could remember more, will have to try and find where I read it. You can get ceramic heat bulbs that do not emit light, just heat. That being said, couldn't get hold of one in time for my ducklings last year so they had a normal lamp and were fine  Now have the ceramic one all ready for spring.

[Cat]

Are they eating & drinking ok? You have got them on chick crumbs ??


Sarah

Hi

Yes, they are eating and drinking well. Everytime I look it seems that they are eating!!! There are 8 so they always look like they are eating.    

We live in Taiwan so there is a bit of a language problem. The guy at the chicken shop gave us food to feed them, but only for a month , then we have to change it at 2 months and then again at 3 months. He said that after 3 months we can give them a different mix.
How do I attach a photo?

[Vember]

Hi Cat

Everything you need to know about adding photo's is here :

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=27146

Sounds like you've got your hands full  

Any thing at all that your not sure of ask away, there's always someone around to help


Sarah

[Aunt Sally]

If you don't have a ceramic lamp a red one is better for them than and ordinary light bulb.