Winter question

Good Morning!

We have 7 chicks that are about 2 1/2 months old, we're not sure exactly how old. A friend of ours gave them to us and told us they were between 1 & 2 weeks. Here's my question, it's been in the 20's for a few days and we're worried the chicks will get too cold. We do have a heat lamp in there, I couldn't find a red bulb so I had to go with the regular one. Is there a difference in the heat that each one puts out? Our coop is a metal building that we built from leftover material from DH's job site and wood leftover from remodeling our basement. They're all fully feathered. 2 of them are silkies, so they're they ones I'm worried about. The others huddle together on one of the supports, but the silkies can reach it, so they huddle together.

We had hens about 13 years ago, but they were fully grown and mean!! I wasn't worried about them getting cold, I figured they were old enough to survive the winters. Btw, we're in Missouri about 50 miles east of Kansas City.


I've been reading the boards for months and have read a lot of helpful advice!

Heather

Others with more chicklet experience will likely come along and weigh in (I've only had adults at wintertime) but generally I would not use regular light at night for heat; rather, a ceramic heat lamp or some other device that does not emit light at night. These, and every other type of heater, are available on line. The safe set up of these things is crucial to prevent burning and fire. When I use cermaic heat lamps I suspend them overhead where no one can touch them and they can touch nothing. I am investigating a heater called EdenPURE that touts it's total safety (info also on line)
JJ

I have two month old chicks, two of which are silkies. I don't have a very warm place for them though it is wind proofed. I have a heat lamp going all day and night and they can choose whether they want to go under it or not. A lot of the time they don't bother but they definitely use it at night when it is really cold. I use the red 250 watt heat lamp and it is great, not too bright.

Standard bulbs will mess up their sleep patterns and not give off the heat a infrared (red) bulb will or a ceramic heat emitter that you can get from any pet shop. You didn't mention what the indoor temperature is. Is it getting cold enough your water freezes in the coop?

The best way to tell what the temp. is under the light bulb you are using is to put a thermometer under the bulb. You will know then if it is too cold for them.

Thanks for all the replies! I'm not sure what wattage the bulb is, I went to find the box and of course it's gone. I really didn't pay attention when I bought it, since it was the only one the Farm store had I wasn't choosy
Yesterday morning, the water in the metal container was frozen, but the glass one was not. This morning neither one was frozen. I've went out to check on them a couple of times around 4 am and they aren't under the lamp so I'm guessing they're ok. I'll look in to the ceramic and infrared bulbs, if I can't find them locally I'll order them online. I try to support the locally owned businesses as much as possible, since I also own a store

I'll put the thermometer back in to see how cold it's really getting in there. DD opened their little door to go outside today and they stayed maybe 5 minutes then went back inside and wouldn't come near the door again. Our high was 38.

Heather