Chicken noob in NM

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Desert chicken tender

Desert chicken tender

In the Brooder
Apr 24, 2025
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Spent the last month or so building our new run, hours reading up on things, and asking endless questions of friends who raise chickens. This week our girls arrived and we are now official chicken tenders!
Our new girls are 5 weeks old.
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They have spent their first night in the coop. Evening temps in NM are currently in the mid 50's, so I did put a heat lamp in with them.
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They are settling into the coop, haven't ventured outdoors yet. I'm assuming that might be a day or two yet.
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I've enjoyed reading articles and threads in this forum, it's all very helpful and adds new ideas. I'm sure I'll be back many times looking for answers to my chicken questions.
 
Hi and welcome! At five weeks and 50° I am not sure they need a heat lamp. They are fully feathered and if they get cold they can snuggle together. In your middle picture I notice they are as far away from the lamp as they can get, which may indicate they are actually too hot. If you want to keep the lamp in there, angle it so it only heats one corner of the coop, leaving other areas cooler, so they can regulate their comfort level by moving to the areas they prefer to be. Also, anchor the lamp some way so it can't possibly fall and start a fire. Every day blow the dust off the bulb and housing to prevent a fire. Confrats on becoming a new "chicken tender!"
 
janiedoe said:
Welcome to BYC! They honestly do not need the heat lamp and its a fire hazzard so I recommend removing it.
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Ooh, I have to agree. I missed that part about it being in the 50s. They really shouldn't need heat at that temp. If you're worried still, then I'd get them a Cozy Coop radiant heater as those don't throw so much heat, but if they get chilled they can cuddle up to it. They shut off if they tip over, and are not fire hazards.
 

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