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Rearing Chicks - Heat Lamps

Rearing Chicks

Hen Chick

Heat lamps are available in a variety of sizes and are powered by electricity or propane gas. Paraffin brooders were widely used in the past and may still be available in farm sales.

Electric lamps have radiant heat bulbs rather than light ones which are too bright and may encourage toe-pecking and other stress-related habits. They radiate heat downwards, ensuring that the chicks are kept warm during their vulnerable stage.

Relative numbers of birds for one 250 watt bulb
Hens	80 chicks
Ducks	30 - 40 duckling depending on species
Geese	25 goslings

The first three days are crucial and it is at this stage that casualties are most likely. As the chicks grow and feather up, they become increasingly hardy. In fact, there is some evidence that not having too much heat encourages more rapid feathering. If weather conditions outside permit, they can be encouraged to go outside into a protected run, as long as they can easily return to the warm conditions. Close-mesh plastic netting is useful for providing wind protection for run fences.

While the lamp is made available, it needs to be adjusted according to the amount of heat required. If all the chicks are clustered in a tight ball underneath the lamp, it is too high and they are cold. If they have dispersed to the edges away from the lamp, they are too hot and it needs to be raised. The general temperature requirements for hen chicks at different stages are indicated below, but we have always found that the chicks’ behaviour patterns are a sufficient guide. We also found that waterfowl generally require less heat than chickens.