Advice please - incubator hatched chicks

[elizajay]

I am using an incubator for the first time and am worrying about what to do when (if) they hatch. Will they need a heat lamp at this time of year? I have a shed with a clear roof which probably gets quite hot during the day. Would that be suitable for them, perhaps with a heat lamp at night? Or is it likely to be too hot? Would it be better to keep them in the other shed which would be quite dark, but cooler? Can you use a heat lamp without a shade/cover thingie? How much room would 6 bantam chicks need?

So many things to think about!!

[MaureenHall]

When (if) mine hatch, they'll be under a lamp for the first week or so, then if the weather's like it is now, they'll be outside during the day and back in under the lamp at night. I'd try out the shed before they hatch using a minimum/maximum thermometer and use your best judgement depending on the readings.

A large polystyrene box (from aquatic or reptile shops, about £3 each) should be big enough and as long as any predators can't get to them should be ok for the first week or two without a lid

[walldanzig]

Mine hatched recently and for the first 10 days they have been under a heat lamp now that the weather has turned I have started to turn the lamp off during the day. I kept an eye on them and they seemed ok. Things to look out for is if they are all huddled together and chirping away then they are too cold.

[davefromthechipie]

I am using an incubator for the first time and am worrying about what to do when (if) they hatch. Will they need a heat lamp at this time of year? I have a shed with a clear roof which probably gets quite hot during the day. Would that be suitable for them, perhaps with a heat lamp at night? Or is it likely to be too hot? Would it be better to keep them in the other shed which would be quite dark, but cooler? Can you use a heat lamp without a shade/cover thingie? How much room would 6 bantam chicks need?

So many things to think about!!

Id say yes go for an infrared one As its ment to help with bone development ( or somthing like that ) You should use a cover/lampshades reflector with them .I think the weathers going down hill abit now ,Still make sure the sheds got good vent without being too windy . 6 new born bants will not need much room My last lot of 7 Not bants" chicks was in a 32" tv box for over a month

[Polly Fouracre]

I hatched a dozen bantam chicks out eleven days ago. As they hatched they were put into a plant propagator on kitchen roll until the last one had hatched, then under a heat lamp in the garage. The lamp has two settings and I kept it on no.1 for the first week then switched to no.2 (the lower heat) I watched them carefully for signs of chilliness but they seem fine.
As with all the others I will start putting them out in a crow/magpie/cat-proof run with a straw filled box by day, bringing them in by night (a bit like hardening off bedding plants!!)
When they are fairly feathered up they will stay out all night, shutting them into a safe place.
This sounds like a lot of work but, in fact, takes about five minutes morning and evening.
Good luck!!

[Polly Fouracre]

I forgot to say, do not put them into a box or square structure as tiny chicks , if they become cold will huddle in a corner and some will suffocate. You could use a circle of chick wire with an inner circle of cardboard to keep out draughts. If chicks huddle together and "peep" they are cold. If they lay arond the edge of the pen with beaks and wings open they are too warm.