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Untill what age should chicks and goslings have a lamp for heat at any point can you decress the tim2007-11-24 17:16:27

leave the light on? when can they be put outside?

Answers:

Most depends on your brooder setup.Chicks need a brooder to remain about 80 degrees with the temp under the light being 85 degrees.It needs to be free from drafts.As you chicks begin growing their feathers they begin to lose their fluff,so they still need the constant temp.By the time they are half fledged you can begin decreasing the temp.By the time they are fully fledged they no longer need the heat light.A brooder doesn't need to be kept in your house.It can be put in a coop,a shed or a barn.The location isn't that important as long as the brooder fills the needs of the chicks as I mentioned above.Once they are 2/3rds fledged they can be put in a location where they have access to a heat light as well can roam freely about inside and outside.This allows them to warm up as they need to.The age of the chick isn't the issue for outside exposure as much as the amount of feathers they have.There are ways of regulating the heat light which creates them to fledge quicker.Though to explain that would require more then I wish to post here.Base your decisions on the amount of feathers they have not so much by their age.Young birds when first turned out need to remain in a coop with a pen to help train them where to roost,plus this affords them protection from predator's.

My last hatch occurred on March 30th.The chicks were fully fledged and turned out on April 30th.Age wise they are only 4 weeks and 2 days.Though growth wise they can withstand normal temps,and average drafts and wind.

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From the first day they hatch and they probably won't need the light after about two weeks on hot days.