Still questioning baby chicks

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Allegra17 said:
I switched it out with a heating plate but they’ve just been chirping super loudly the last hour nonstop…
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I assume you checked the plate to ensure it's warming up, and made sure they knew how to use it? Is it fully dark where the brooder is right now? If they're not used to a day/night cycle it's upsetting for them at first.
 
rosemarythyme said:
I assume you checked the plate to ensure it's warming up, and made sure they knew how to use it? Is it fully dark where the brooder is right now? If they're not used to a day/night cycle it's upsetting for them at first.
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I assumed they would sense the heat and be attracted to it. Do I have to put them under it? Do I have to leave a light on in my house overnight? I read they can’t see in the dark?
 
Allegra17 said:
I assumed they would sense the heat and be attracted to it. Do I have to put them under it? Do I have to leave a light on in my house overnight? I read they can’t see in the dark?
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They need to be shown how to use the plate if they've never had one before - simply put them under it and they'll decide if they want to stay or not.

I stick by a true day/night cycle because the gradual dimming of light at sunset tells them to find a heat source if they want it - but I brood outside. If you simply turned off the light on them, that doesn't give them the opportunity to get ready for sleeping, which is probably why they're making distressed sounds. Best to gradually dim the light, or use natural light (i.e. a large window) to naturally dim the room they're in.
 
Allegra17 said:
I actually have one. I couldn’t figure out the right height for it so I switched back to the lamp. I was worried about how to make sure it was warm enough and how to make sure they have light at night.

I have this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CH8P1NDL?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
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Let the chickens tell you if it is hot enough. If they retreat under there when they get cold and they settle down and fall asleep, it should be warm enough.

I would much rather gamble with the heat of the heat plate when the ambient temoerature of the room is adequate for them than risk cooking them.

Here is an example of my chicks sleeping under my heat plate. Would you like me to send a link to mine? You can control it's temperature.
 

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As others have said, the heat lamp is too close. If they are huddled underneath, they're cold and trying to heat up. If they are huddled far away from it, they're too hot. Depending on your climate, they may be okay without heat. If they are feathered, they do not need supplemental heat.
 
rosemarythyme said:
They need to be shown how to use the plate if they've never had one before - simply put them under it and they'll decide if they want to stay or not.

I stick by a true day/night cycle because the gradual dimming of light at sunset tells them to find a heat source if they want it - but I brood outside. If you simply turned off the light on them, that doesn't give them the opportunity to get ready for sleeping, which is probably why they're making distressed sounds. Best to gradually dim the light, or use natural light (i.e. a large window) to naturally dim the room they're in.
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Thank you!! As an update, they’ve been so much happier after I implemented your suggestion!! They aren’t huddled together all day long anymore and come and go freely from the heating plate as needed to eat/drink/ scratch the bedding.
 

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