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How Long Do Baby Chicks Need A Heat Lamp

Chickens

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So your chicks are several weeks old, and maybe you have them inside, and they are starting to stink am I right? Been there done that!  So, let’s talk about How Long Baby Chicks Need Heat Lamp.

People say decrease temperature until you get it down to 70ºF but REALLY! HOW LONG do Baby Chicks Need Heat Lamp? Let's dive into this subject! baby-chicks-heat-lamp | HomesteadWishing, Author Kristi Wheeler |




Everything I’ve read says to start at 95ºF and decrease by 5 degrees each week, until you reach 70ºF. That information about dropping the temperature might be helpful if you live in a cold climate, but what if you live in a warm climate and it rarely ever gets down to 70ºF?

To really understand when the right time to wean the baby chicks from the heat source, we need to know what it is that keeps them warm. We all know that chickens keep themselves warm with their feathers. The feathers act as a trap for heat in colder weather. In warmer weather they spread their feathers out a bit so that the heat can escape.

Meet Our Baby Chicks! Come behind the scenes to get a sneak peek at all of the baby chicks our broody hens hatched this spring. They've all got names. Can you guess what they are? | Homestead Wishing, Author Kristi Wheeler | http://homesteadwishing.com/meet-our-baby-chicks/ | baby-chicks, meet-baby-chicks, raising-chickens, chicken-eggs Meet Baby Chicks!

How Long Do Baby Chicks Need Heat Lamps?

At 8- 10 weeks, most chicks are feathered out, meaning their big girl and big boy feathers are mostly grown in. This helps protect them from the cool weather.

Hot Weather and Heat Lamps

When chicks are first born it’s suggested they stay around 95ºF. If you’re bringing them inside where the A/C is running, they will need a heat source, no matter how hot it is outside.

If you have them outside at two weeks old, and it’s 90ºF outside, you probably don’t need a heat source on at least during the daytime. Third week 85ºF, Fourth week 80ºF and so on…

Watch the nighttime temps closely, and turn on a heat source as necessary.


Cold Weather

8- 10 weeks is about the norm. That’s how long Baby Chicks Need A Heat Lamp or preferably a safer heat source. There are many people who stop using a heat source at 8 weeks old. If they’re feathered out at 8 weeks then they should be just fine to go outside, even in colder weather. If it dips down super cold at night you might think about turning on a safe heat source for them then.

This is Angel. Known for her angelic like feathers. I believe she is 10 weeks old now. This is what they talk about when they say feathered out. Below, I’ll share an image of a chick that is not fully feathered yet.

People say decrease temperature until you get it down to 70ºF but REALLY! HOW LONG do Baby Chicks Need Heat Lamp? Let's dive into this subject! baby-chicks-heat-lamp | HomesteadWishing, Author Kristi Wheeler |

This is Mohawk. He had a black stripe on his head when first hatched hence his name, Mohawk.

You can tell that his feathers are not quite grown in yet. He is a couple weeks younger than Angel. In two to three weeks, he should be fully feathered out.Meet Our Baby Chicks! Come behind the scenes to get a sneak peek at all of the baby chicks our broody hens hatched this spring. They've all got names. Can you guess what they are? | Homestead Wishing, Author Kristi Wheeler | http://homesteadwishing.com/meet-our-baby-chicks/ | baby-chicks, meet-baby-chicks, raising-chickens, chicken-eggs Meet Baby Chicks!



Watch For Signs of Being Too Cold and Too Hot

  • If you notice they are all huddled together, they may be a little chilly.
  • If they are spread out, running around like crazy they are probably fine.
  • If they are panting, and have their wings spread out they are hot.

Hopefully, this clarifies things for you. Now you know Baby Chicks Need Heat Lamps (or a safer heat source) for about 8-10 weeks. If you feel that they need heat for a little longer, then give it to them.  Good luck with your baby chicks!

If you would like to share pictures of your baby chicks with us, sign up for our newsletter, and reply to the weekly email with a letter, and some pictures! We love having email pals!

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People say decrease temperature until you get it down to 70ºF but REALLY! HOW LONG do Baby Chicks Need Heat Lamp? Let's dive into this subject! baby-chicks-heat-lamp | HomesteadWishing, Author Kristi Wheeler |

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March 16, 2018 · 2 Comments

About Kristi @HomesteadWishing

My family thinks I am the world's best cook. I currently have too many hobbies to list. My favorite being crochet. I also love growing my own food, making homemade items, and escaping to new worlds through books.

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Comments

  1. Tracy Morrison says

    March 16, 2018 at 10:18 pm

    awesome information; always wondered about the temps We live in northern Ontario Canada and have been thinking about getting chicks but was afraid of our weather.

    Reply
    • Kristi @HomesteadWishing says

      March 17, 2018 at 7:52 am

      I know some ladies in Alaska that have chickens. I’m so surprised that they can stay warm enough to survive!

      There are breeds that do well in the cold. I found an article that might help you pick out a breed. If you want to check that out it’s from our friends at Fresh Eggs Daily.

      http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2014/12/20-cold-hardy-chicken-breeds.html

      Reply

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More about Kristi…

My family thinks I am the world's best cook. I currently have too many hobbies to list. My favorite being crochet. I also love growing my own food, making homemade items, and escaping to new worlds through books. Read More…

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