Chook Me!

How long to chicks need to be under light?

I have 5 light Sussex chicks that are 4 weeks old. It's almost summer in Australia and they are about 50 % covered in feathers. I don't want to take the light off them prematurely. But they aren't huddling up to it as much as they used to. Thanks!

Public Comments

1. 6 weeks
2. Generally, chicks start under lights at 98 degrees. That temperature is constant for the first week and reduced by about 5 degrees each week after that until their pen temperature is equal to the outside temperature, or until their secondary feathers are in, whichever comes first. Your 4-week old chicks should be at a temp of around 85-88 degrees still. You can gradually reduce their pen temp by increasing the height that their lamp is clipped on. I usually keep a reptile or terrarium thermometer in the bottom of their brood pen to help make sure they are comfortable. Drafts or sudden temperature drops can chill, weaken or kill young chicks. Also, even if your summer temps are climbing (I envy you right now, it is snowing in good old Ohio, USA), make sure that you still keep their light on at night. A night time temp drop could chill them pretty easily. Good luck with your new chicks!