Elderly cat breathing difficulties when purring

[thebdj]

Hi Again Guys!

 

Another newbie question which I am sure will generate a reasonable wealth of opinion

 

When would you take your chicks off-heat, i.e. they can fend for themselves with the heatlamp off? I have seen all manner of difference of opinion, some say as early as 4 weeks and others say as late as 12-14 weeks. I am keen to ensure that my chicks get everything they need and stay as healthy as possible but at the same time, get them used to 'real world' conditions in an attempt to promote them being a bit more hardy.

 

As always, your thoughts are very much appreciated

 

Cheers

Justin

[Redwing]

I started to raise the lamp up from early on (a dimmer swich attachment would do the same job it fits between the plug and the socket, a bit like a timer)

 

I switched the light off in the day from three weeks in then switched it off completely a week later but the chicks stayed indoors

 

When I raised some in June I switched the lamp off at 6 weeks as it was a lot cooler and damper then

 

If I was raising in Jan/Feb like some breeders do I would leave the lamp on longer too

 

Where they are also has an effect - if they are in an outbuilding I wouldnt be so keen to switch the lamp off early but mine are in the kitchen

 

they are going outside today aged 5 weeks but then it is August

 

I think what I am trying to say is that there are variables, I am guided by what the chicks seem to want if they huddle they are cold if they spread out away from the light and pant they are hot so I react accordingly

[Egluntyne]

Mine were off at about 5 and a 1/2 weeks and were fine. They came in at night for a week and then stayed out all the time.

[Lewis]

Mine are 5 weeks old and I've been raising the heat lamp every week to reduce the heat.

Last week I switched from the big infra red lamp to a smaller fireglow bulb and now its only on over night