If you are faced with the task of raising chickens, then you need to understand that they need special care. Creating comfortable conditions should be a top priority, otherwise it will hardly be possible to raise a healthy bird.
Rearing chicks under a hen makes the job easier as there is no need for additional heating. The chicks also learn from their mothers how to find food and water. However, nothing is impossible, and it is quite possible to raise healthy chickens without a hen.
What lamps are used to raise chickens?
For installation in an aviary with chickens, you can use different types of lighting:
- Fluorescent lamps.
The main advantage is economy. The main disadvantage is the frequent flickering, which is imperceptible to the human eye, but the vision of chickens is much sharper. Because of this, the light can irritate the birds.
- LED.
They are also economical in terms of power consumption and are devoid of the flicker effect. In addition, such lighting has a long service life, has the proper level of protection, and emits light of a different spectrum. The main disadvantage is the high cost, so not everyone can afford this coverage.
- Combined.
They give both infrared and are a good option for installation in aviaries with chickens.
- infrared.
They help to save on electricity, have an acceptable cost. According to poultry farmers, this type of heating is most suitable for birds.
For growing chickens, electric heating pads, water heating, and a stove are also used as heaters, however, infrared lamps are always the most popular, which help to solve the problem of lighting and heating at the same time.
What is an infrared lamp?
Represents the highest quality thermal emitter. She gained great popularity not only for this reason - high productivity can be achieved with minimal energy consumption, which is especially important when growing a large number of birds.
Terms of use
In order for the chickens to be safe, it is necessary to adhere to the rules of operation. Therefore, the bird lamp should be used in conjunction with luminaires equipped with ceramic cartridges. This will help prevent moisture and flammable straw from getting into them.
Principle of operation
The IR lamp for heating chickens is very simple to operate - in the process of its action, electricity is converted into infrared radiation. The design is quite safe, since thick glass is used in the production of a glass bulb, which is protected from moisture and shock. A special reflective material is applied to the inside of the glass to help focus and direct light and heat onto the chicks. Lamps must be installed at a height of 30-40 cm from the floor.
A 250 W chicken heating lamp is able to light and heat a room of 10 square meters. m. This is quite enough for raising birds. However, it is wiser to install several lamps in the brooder for chickens in case one of them burns out. Otherwise, if you are not around, the chickens will be left without heating, and this can turn into a tragedy for them and for you, respectively.
In order for chickens to grow, two factors must be observed: the organization of a closed space and a thermal / light regime, since they are highly sensitive to temperature changes.
Chick behavior
In the course of observing birds, you can find out if they are comfortable living in a brooder. If the chickens run around the room, then there is nothing to worry about - they are warm and comfortable. If they huddle together, concentrate near the lamp, then they are cold. Then you need to install the IR lamp lower or increase the heating.
When the room is too hot, the chickens will behave quietly, pant and disperse to the sides. It is necessary to reduce the heating or install the lamp higher.
You can breed broilers and chickens of egg breeds. The latter are much more mobile so that they do not waste their energy, you can build fences. It is also necessary to install a drinking bowl and a feeder.
What are the benefits of a heating lamp for chickens?
- It is able to maintain an optimal level of moisture in the brooder with chickens due to the fact that excess moisture particles in the air evaporate when heated.
- The infrared light emits a calm and soft light that does not irritate the chicks and reduces their aggressiveness.
- Helps to improve the appetite of birds and the assimilation of feed.
- has a beneficial effect on the immune system of chickens.
- Such a heater has a high efficiency.
- Energy costs are 4 times less compared to other types of heaters.
- IR radiation dries out the bedding.
It is worth remembering that it is acceptable to heat chickens with an infrared lamp, but not adult birds.
How to organize a brooder?
The place where the chickens will live is called the brooder. Day-old chicks are placed in it immediately, the care of which in the first days of life is most important.
Chickens stay in the aviary for 3 weeks, after which they will need to be transplanted into a brooder with feeders around the perimeter.
In the early days, newspapers or cloth should be laid on the floor of the brooder so that the chicks are warm and do not blow from below. It is also necessary that the heating lamp for chickens emit heat at 30 degrees, this will help dissolve the yolk in their stomachs. The growth and health of birds will depend on this. Such conditions must be maintained for 5 days. Further on the 10th day, the temperature should be at the level of 26 degrees, then every week it is necessary to reduce it by 3 degrees. To quickly navigate the level of heat, it is worth installing a thermometer.
A brooder for chickens can be made with the following parameters: length 70 cm, width 50, height 40. It is better to choose plywood as a material for the side walls, and roofing iron for the bottom.
While the chickens are growing, they are kept in 100-200 units in an aviary, after they reach three weeks of age, they are seated in 50 individuals in new aviaries.
Light mode
If you have day old chicks, care and proper light regimen will have a big impact on their performance.
Experienced poultry farmers raise chickens in windowless aviaries with constantly shortening daylight hours. Reducing 30 minutes of daylight per week can delay puberty, but will also promote good growth, ending the molt before laying, resulting in larger eggs with stronger shells.
On the farm, this regime is appropriate only for chickens taken for cultivation in June, when it lasts 15-16 hours. If April-May brood chickens are raised, then they should be kept in an aviary with curtained windows and walked after sunrise. Long daylight hours provoke premature egg laying, and this leads to a decrease in productivity.
Thus, it is worth paying attention to every little detail in order to succeed in raising chickens. It is worth remembering that the heating lamp for chickens is of particular importance in poultry farming. In addition, it is used in raising livestock.
Infrared heaters have recently entered our everyday life, but have already managed to gain popularity. This is a relatively inexpensive and efficient way of additional or main heating, which reduces energy costs. Today it is used both in apartments, offices, street spaces, and in buildings where pets are kept. In small rooms in poultry and animal husbandry, an alternative option is also used - infrared lamps. We will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of heating chickens with an IR lamp in this article.
What is an infrared lamp
An infrared lamp is an ordinary light bulb that is screwed into a standard E27 ceramic socket. Inside the glass flask, which can be transparent or colored red or blue, there is a tungsten filament placed in a flask with an argon-nitrogen mixture.
The radiation of such lamps does not affect the entire room, but objects and living organisms located in its immediate vicinity. Infrared rays, in contact with them, are absorbed and converted into thermal energy. It does not take time to heat up - an object or a living organism feels heat immediately after the lamp is turned on. 
The principle of operation of an IR bulb is similar to the action of the Sun, the rays of which, reaching objects, heat them up, and then they begin to give off heat to the environment and warm up the air.
Technical characteristics of infrared lamps:
- maximum power - 50–500 W;
- maximum temperature - 600 °C;
- IR wave range - 3.5–5 µm;
- supported voltage - 220 V;
- service life - 6 thousand hours.
IR radiation does not harm either humans or animals. On the contrary, this heat source has a number of advantages: - compactness;
- ease of use;
- possibility of spot heating;
- uniform distribution of heat;
- fast heating of objects and living organisms - heat comes after only 27 seconds;
- noiselessness;
- high efficiency, approaching 100%;
- environmental friendliness;
- positive impact on animal behavior - calming the nervous system, strengthening immunity, increasing the growth rate, increasing appetite;
- improving hygiene and cleanliness in the premises where animals are kept;
- the possibility of installation in the bottom, walls, to the ceiling of the poultry house;
- affordability.
The disadvantages of using lamps are much less: - increased energy costs - when using a 250-watt light bulb, about 0.25 kW per hour is used;
- some discomfort with a rather long stay at the site of action of the light bulb - the mucous membrane of the eye dries up in a person;
- if handled carelessly, there is a possibility of burns when touched.
Did you know? Infrared rays were discovered by English scientist Frederick William Herschel in 1800. He was engaged in the study of the Sun and was looking for a way to protect the research instrument from overheating. Thus, the scientist accidentally discovered that objects that are under saturated red rays heat up most strongly.
Types of lamps for use in poultry farming
In addition to infrared, other types of lamps can be used to heat chickens, for example, fluorescent, LED, combined. We offer to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.
Fluorescent
A fluorescent lamp is a light source that converts electricity into ultraviolet rays. Low cost of electricity consumption, weak heating of the bulb, duration of operation are the undoubted advantages of using this light source in the poultry house. 
However, chickens feel uncomfortable under such lighting due to the frequent unpleasant flicker and its brightness. These lamps are still best used in poultry houses with adults.
LED
LED lamps convert electricity into optical radiation. Such light sources have a number of advantages:
- low power consumption;
- long service life;
- ease of installation and operation;
- low heating of the device;
- high mechanical strength;
- compactness;
- environmental Safety;
- regulation of bird behavior when emitting light of different spectra.
Combined
Combined light sources emit infrared and ultraviolet rays. There is an opinion that such devices are the most useful for the body of chickens, since, in addition to heating, they also disinfect with ultraviolet radiation, and also positively affect the development of vital organs.
How to use infrared lamps
Like all newborns with imperfect thermoregulation, chicks need warmth. The need for it will decrease as the yellow lumps grow. To control the temperature, a thermometer should hang in the room where the babies are kept.
For newborn chickens, a very high temperature will be required - 35-37 ° C. In the future, it will need to be reduced by 1-2 ° C weekly. Thus, at 9 weeks, babies will feel comfortable at a temperature of 18 to 21 ° C. You can regulate the temperature by removing/approaching the heat source to the heated objects. 
To select the lamp power, it is necessary to proceed from the calculation of 1 kW per 10 square meters. m. At a room temperature without heating 10 ° C per 10 sq. m enough one 600-watt light bulb. You can also calculate the power and number of required heat sources using calculators posted on the Internet.
In order to find out how far from the chickens to place the IR lamp, before the birth or acquisition of young animals, a heat source should be placed at a distance of 30–40 cm from the place where the babies will be. After some time, the temperature should be measured. If it exceeds 37 ° C, then the source should be located higher.
Important! The room must be warmed up to the required temperature even before the chicks are placed there.
You need to understand that the household should have 2 IR bulbs. If something happens to one, it can be replaced in time without harming the health of the young. Best Option will use 2 bulbs at the same time. 
After one batch of young animals is already firmly on its feet and no longer needs a heat source, you should wipe the cooled bulb with a damp cloth to remove dirt and dust.
When purchasing cheap models with a thin bulb, in order to avoid mechanical damage to the glass and injury to babies, you should protect the light bulb with a metal mesh.
When using IR bulbs, make sure that they are screwed only into ceramic sockets (plastic ones will melt very quickly), so that moisture or flammable materials such as straw, hay, feathers, etc., do not get on them. avoid moving the bulbs - this way their life is significantly reduced.
When heating the house with an infrared method, adults should be kept separately from babies. Otherwise, most of the heat will go to mature birds, and the kids will be cold. 
Chick behavior
The behavior of the chicks will tell you if they are comfortable in a room heated by infrared rays. If the temperature in the chicken coop suits them, then they will be evenly dispersed over the area. While eating food or water, they will squeak fervently. If they either creep in different directions and behave sluggishly, or, on the contrary, huddle together, are restless, then the conditions do not suit them.
Huddled in a bunch
When babies behave like this, it means they are experiencing cold. It is necessary to measure the temperature and increase it by 1 or 2 degrees by reducing the distance between the source of infrared heat and the location of the chickens.
Important!Since infrared lamps are very hot, it is forbidden to touch them - this is fraught with severe burns.
Spread out to the sides
Chickens try to crawl to the sides so as not to touch their bodies with each other, they have sluggish behavior and heavy breathing - these are clear signs that the babies are hot. Place the IR heat source higher. 
For rearing chickens, specially equipped boxes are used - brooders. Making them yourself is pretty easy. You can use a variety of materials at hand (for example, cardboard or plastic boxes). However, in order to raise healthy broilers or laying hens, it is necessary to maintain an appropriate lighting and heating regime in the brooder. This is what will be discussed in this article.
Temperature regime during the growth period of chickens
Chick growers recommend a specific temperature schedule to be followed during the first two months of chick growth. After transplanting them from the incubator (within two to three days), the average temperature in the brooder should be around 37 °C. Then the schedule is divided into weeks:
- the first - 33 ÷ 35 ° C;
- the second - 30÷32 °C;
- third - 28÷29 °C;
- fourth - 26 ÷ 27 ° C;
- fifth, sixth, seventh - 22 ÷ 25 ° C;
- eighth - 19 ÷ 21 ° C.
Moreover, it is desirable to control the temperature inside the equipped box not only at one specific point, but along the entire perimeter of the brooder (especially in the first week after the transplantation of newborn chicks from the incubator to the brooder).
Proper lighting in the incubator
Compliance with the lighting regime of the brooder is no less important for the full development and normal growth of chickens than heating. In the first 2-3 days of chicks' life, artificial daylight hours should be at least 21-23 hours. Then, until the age of three weeks, its duration is gradually reduced to 15-16 hours a day. After that, it is already possible to switch to the standard natural duration of daylight hours at 10 ÷ 12 hours.
Recent research by scientists has shown that darkness is just as important to the health and growth of birds as light. During the dark phase, melatonin is produced in the growing body of the chick. This hormone contributes to the proper formation and strengthening of the immune system. Birds reared under the correct lighting regime have greater resistance to disease, are significantly less prone to mortality, and generally do not have leg problems.
In addition, the behavior and growth of the bird is affected by the color of the lighting. Thus, studies have shown that blue light has a calming effect on birds, red light helps reduce "bird cannibalism", blue-green light stimulates growth, orange-red light improves reproductive function.
The most popular brooder heating systems
Naturally, when choosing a brooder heating system, each chicken breeder proceeds from his own preferences, financial capabilities and experience. Of course, you can organize the maintenance of the desired temperature using conventional incandescent lamps of the appropriate power. However, this method is the most uneconomical, and also unsafe (since it is quite easy to break an ordinary incandescent lamp).
To date, the most popular devices for heating a brooder are:
- red lamps with a mirror reflector;
- ceramic infrared lamps;
- artificial mother hens.
Each of these devices has its own advantages and disadvantages.
red heating lamp
A very common way to heat the air in a brooder when raising chickens is a lamp that emits energy in the red and infrared range. It radiates warmth and soft light at the same time. Of course, it is impossible to say unequivocally that this is a universal device "2 in 1". Although many experts claim that it practically does not interfere with the sleep of the chicks (it is quite enough to find water and food at any time), when the required temperature is exceeded, the heating element must be turned off periodically (manually or using automatic thermostats). That is, in order to maintain a normal lighting mode in accordance with the recommendations set out above, along with a red lamp, in any case, you will have to use an additional lighting device.
Important! For the safe use of such heaters, it is necessary to purchase only lamps, the cylinders of which are made of special tempered glass.
Of the advantages of such heaters, it is worth noting:
- their rather long resource - about 5000 hours;
- low cost.
infrared ceramic lamp
Currently, instead of a lamp, an infrared ceramic heater is increasingly being used. In its design, it is very similar to a conventional lamp with a standard E27 base. Compared to a conventional red lamp, such a heater has the following advantages:
- longer period of continuous operation - from 10,000 to 30,000 hours;
- high efficiency - up to 98%;
- increased shock resistance, vibration and moisture protection.
The power offered by manufacturers of such heaters varies widely - from 25 to 200 watts. Therefore, you can easily choose ceramic heat emitters for brooders of various sizes. If desired (as well as for more uniform heating of the entire space), several heat emitters can be used simultaneously. The cost of such devices (depending on power) is about 400÷600 rubles.
Artificial mother chicken
A very useful addition to the main brooder heating system will be a special device, which is a low-power heated stove on four mounting legs. Such a device practically does not increase the ambient temperature. However, leaning against its warm surface (that is, climbing under it), the chicks have the opportunity to warm themselves in the same way as when natural cultivation mother chicken. As the chicks grow, the distance between the brooder floor and the heater surface increases. Thus, it is convenient to use it throughout the entire period of growing chicks in the brooder until they are transferred to the chicken coop.
The size of the "artificial mother" depends on how many chicks you plan to place in the brooder. Standard Models designed for the simultaneous cultivation of 20 (power - 18 W, cost - 4000-4500 rubles) or 50 (66 W and about 6000 rubles, respectively) chickens. If desired, you can use several of these devices at the same time in one brooder.
The only condition that must be observed when using such a device (as recommended by the manufacturers): the floor area of the box for rearing chicks should be at least twice the size of the heater. Then the chicks can bask under it or be in a free area, depending on the time of day or when the ambient temperature changes.
The design of such devices is designed to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Since the power consumption of these devices is negligible, this does not lead to a significant increase in energy costs.
Other heating options
Naturally, the arrangement of brooder heating systems for raising chicks is not limited to the two most popular devices described above. For these purposes, breeders successfully use:
- ordinary incandescent lamps;
- infrared films;
- plastic heat emitters ("Good heat");
- special lamps for heating terrariums;
- electric heating elements of various geometry and power.
Temperature control
During the period of intensive growth, the chicks are afraid of both hypothermia and overheating. That's why main task arrangement of heating a brooder is to maintain the required temperature in accordance with the above schedule. Control can be carried out using a thermometer installed inside the brooder. The main ways to adjust the temperature:
- The simplest (however, not the most effective) method of maintaining the desired temperature is to change the height of the heating device relative to the floor level. If you raise the lamp (or infrared ceramic emitter) higher, you can reduce the intensity of heating. Conversely, by lowering it lower, you can easily increase the temperature inside the brooder.
- By connecting the heater through a manual electromechanical power regulator, you can significantly increase the usability of the heating system. However, this method also requires constant monitoring of the thermometer readings.
- The most convenient and most effective way maintaining the set temperature is to use an automatic electronic temperature controller. Such a device has a remote sensor, which is fixed inside the brooder. The user only needs to set the required temperature using the control buttons and connect the heating element (according to the diagram in accordance with the instruction manual). During operation, the device will automatically turn on / off the heater in accordance with changes in the readings of the temperature sensor. And although the purchase of a thermostat leads to some increase in the cost of the heating system (by 900–1200 rubles), this greatly simplifies the process of rearing chicks.
When growing young chickens at home, you should worry about creating comfortable conditions for the chickens. In particular, about the desired temperature regime. Today it is possible to heat chickens with lamps such as infrared. In an aviary with it is permissible to use fluorescent, LED and combined lamps for lighting. We will tell you what temperature indicators chickens need, how heating is carried out in the first days, what is the lighting mode, how an infrared lamp is used for chickens.
For newborn babies, a high temperature in the house is provided. In the presence of a hen, it is she who in the first 3 days relentlessly stays with the offspring and heats it. IN warm days It is customary for the family to be let out on a walking platform. special attention require birds that were obtained at home using an incubator. Since they almost cannot independently withstand changes in humidity levels and temperature indicators. They need to find a warm place with dry bedding, which is adequately lit and able to protect the young from drafts.
In the first 5 days, the temperature in the house should be between 29 and 30 degrees Celsius. Gradually, the air is cooled, bringing up to 10 days of life for babies up to + 26 degrees. Up to 1 month, the temperature is reduced by another 3 - 4 degrees so that it is no more than 18 - 20 degrees Celsius. A good thermometer will help you control the temperature in the house. But you should also focus on the condition of the chicks. 
If they are quite active, drink and eat with pleasure, do not gather in groups, then you are doing everything right. Because with a lack of heat, young animals will tend to stray into groups and be closer to lamps or another heater. If the air is too hot, the birds are able to open their beaks wide, drink a lot and greedily, puff up fluff and feathers, and be away from their fellows.
Video “Heating for chickens”
From the video you will learn how to properly heat the chickens in the brooder.
Heating systems in the first days of life
In order to provide warmth for their chickens, many owners place various devices in their place of detention that work well in practice. In a cage or box, you can place electric or water heaters, bottles with warm water poured into them, which are wrapped in a couple of layers of cotton or woolen material, cotton wool. Incandescent lamps or a couple of reflectors will also help to create heat, the fasteners of which must be carried out in a place where curious kids cannot reach. 
Remember that regardless of the choice of heat source, air heating usually occurs unevenly. And near the device, the temperature will always be 3-6 degrees higher than at the other end of the box or cage. To save electricity and help the chicks save energy, it is advised for egg breed chickens to divide the house into parts. Heating is necessary for babies up to one month old. Further, in the cells, it is necessary to achieve the presence of a temperature at the level of + 18 degrees. When kept on deep litter, it is usually possible to maintain the indicator at + 15.
Lighting mode for young animals
The lighting system, along with proper heating, is important for the normal growth and full development of young animals. The creation of daylight hours within 9 - 10 hours is carried out in stages by the time the babies reach the age of 2 months. At the same time, walks in the fresh air and the opportunity to receive solar heat are useful for crumbs.
This is an excellent prevention of rickets and the ability to harden growing organisms. Creating the recommended temperature, sufficient lighting system, a balanced nutritious diet will allow you to grow viable and healthy chicks.
The use of red lamps for heating
Increasingly popular is the use of red, or infrared lamps. An infrared lamp for heating small chickens is usually subject to such requirements as the presence of a safe and reliable design, protection from moisture, possible impacts, inaccessibility to birds. The chick warmer lamp must always be covered with a lattice casing for protection and hung at a safe height for pets. On the market, such designs are presented in several versions. 
Mirror is usually made with a red or transparent flask. In the first case, it is not only a source of heat, but also light. Such a lamp has a high degree of power, and the warranty period of its service is about 5 thousand hours. Choosing it, you can not be afraid that the lamp will stop working at the wrong moment. This design is very reliable and is able to ensure trouble-free operation.
Luminaires with a ruby dome of the bulb heat up very quickly and are endowed with reflectivity. They make it possible to save up to a third of all incoming electricity. Light from such a heat source is normally perceived by chicks. It is recommended to use the device from the first days of life of babies and until they grow into adults.
When installing a light bulb, it must be taken into account that the parameters of the light flux depend on how high the radiation source is located. The height from the moment of birth until the chicks reach the age of 1 week should be about 50 cm. At 2-3 weeks, the device is advised to be raised to a level of 75 cm from the surface of the litter. Further, the radiation source should be located at a height of up to 1 meter. As a result, the temperature environment decreases, and the area of heating and lighting increases. 
The use of infrared devices leads to an increase in the appetite of chicks, a better set of live weight, and strengthening of immunity. It allows you to create the effect of obtaining solar energy, subject to free range.
In addition to red lamps, combined devices are often used. They are able to give an ultraviolet spectrum, which ensures high-quality disinfection.
Video “Proper nutrition and maintenance of chickens”
From the video you will learn how to properly feed and maintain small chickens.
No matter how much you say, but the chickens, especially if we are talking about daily and week-old chicks, need careful care. It is imperative to provide optimal conditions for their life. Heating for chickens is the first thing you should take care of. Among all heaters, only infrared lamps perform a dual function: heating the air and illuminating the box.
When the hatching of chickens from a home incubator has taken place, it is very important to provide high-quality care for them at first. The young are generally unsuited to external factors, a sudden change in temperature or humidity. That is why you should adhere to clear recommendations from experts, otherwise any minor oversight can lead to undesirable consequences.
The temperature during the first five days after hatching should be around +28…+30 °C. Whatever device for heating after the incubator you decide to purchase, it is advisable to constantly monitor temperature regime, which means that you can not do without a thermometer.
In the next five days, it is recommended to gradually reduce the set indicators, since by the tenth day of keeping the chickens, the temperature in the brooder should not exceed +26 ° C. In the future, follow the approximate scheme: for several months, the temperature should drop by 3-4 degrees weekly.
Remember that it is recommended to pay attention not only to the thermometer data, but also to the condition of the chicks: if the temperature is not optimal for them, this will be noticeable by the activity of the chicks. The temperature regime is set illiterately if the following picture is observed:
- chicks are constantly in groups and move very little - this means that they simply freeze;
- chicks have fluff and wings bristling, they drink a lot of water and try to stay away from each other - it is better to lower the temperature in the device a little.
Whichever lamp for chickens is installed in a brooder or cardboard box, try to stick to the golden mean in the process of heating them. Both from hypothermia and from excessive high temperature the chicks suffer equally, they become weak and become easy prey for viral infections.
What lighting should be
The organization of competent lighting in a mini-chicken coop is no less important than a device for heating chickens. Having an optimal light source will help day-old chicks find their way around in a new place, as well as find food and water. Many experts are convinced that with proper lighting of the brooder, chickens peck at each other much less. It is also necessary to ensure that all manipulations are performed without unnecessary stress for the young, even vaccination will be calmer in such conditions.
Whatever lamp you prefer to install in a box for small chickens, the device must be illuminated according to a certain program, which you can modify yourself. The system can be continuous (that is, only one phase of darkness is allowed) or discontinuous (with several pauses during the illumination process). Remember: you can’t constantly leave the light on in the brooder, because this way you will only harm the birds. The thing is that at night, in week-old and monthly chicks, bone tissue begins to form more actively, and calcium metabolism also changes. That is, the immune system is noticeably strengthened in young animals.
Proper heating of a mini-chicken coop is not the only point that requires increased attention. Just as you will reduce the temperature in the process of rearing small chickens, a similar situation should develop with the duration of lighting.
Domestic farmers, even those who breed birds at home, know for sure that by reducing daylight hours by 30 minutes every week, you significantly stimulate the growth of chicks. Of course, it is believed that with this approach, the intensity of puberty of future chickens and roosters somewhat slows down, but in return you will get strong chicks, the molting period of which will end by the time the first oviposition occurs. Thus, you will get large eggs that have a fairly hard shell.
How much power a lamp is needed for constant heating and lighting of chickens depends on the variety that you keep in the brooder and some other factors.
Heating systems
Surely you have heard that modern farmers use not only a common infrared lamp to heat chickens. You can also heat the device in which you raise chicks at first with the help of the following devices:
- luminescent apparatus. Such lamps are valued due to their efficiency. However, for the birds themselves, this is not best option, since the flickering light source only annoys them;
- LED. Among the key advantages of this heating system are not only efficiency, but also a long service life, as well as long flickering. However, such a device is not cheap, be prepared for this;
- infrared. The power of such UV bulbs is not bad, but at the same time they are economical and not too expensive.
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