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Help! New chick coming tomorrow. How high should my red light be?

post #1 of 22
3/20/09 at 4:10pm
Thread Starter 

I have cut down a fridge box and have a red heat light over it.  It say on my thermometer that it is 80 degrees on the edge but it seems very hot right under it.  I have it raised up about 16 degrees from the shavings to the bulb.  Am I ok?  I am so afraid of fire.

Thanks for and advise!  I wll try to upload my pic
http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/23582_chicks_100.jpg

My Chicken Cam:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/deb-s-chicken-cam 
Wife, Mother, Grandmother, 1 dog, 1 cat, Silkie, Easter Eggers, Cuckoo Marans, Golden Comets 

~~~"And God came down from the heavens and He said unto the chicken, Thou shalt cross the road. And the chicken crossed the road and there was much rejoicing."~~~
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My Chicken Cam:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/deb-s-chicken-cam 
Wife, Mother, Grandmother, 1 dog, 1 cat, Silkie, Easter Eggers, Cuckoo Marans, Golden Comets 

~~~"And God came down from the heavens and He said unto the chicken, Thou shalt cross the road. And the chicken crossed the road and there was much rejoicing."~~~
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post #2 of 22
3/20/09 at 4:13pm
Thread Starter 

Here is the side angle.  The box is 27 inches high.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/23582_chicks_095.jpg

My Chicken Cam:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/deb-s-chicken-cam 
Wife, Mother, Grandmother, 1 dog, 1 cat, Silkie, Easter Eggers, Cuckoo Marans, Golden Comets 

~~~"And God came down from the heavens and He said unto the chicken, Thou shalt cross the road. And the chicken crossed the road and there was much rejoicing."~~~
Reply
My Chicken Cam:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/deb-s-chicken-cam 
Wife, Mother, Grandmother, 1 dog, 1 cat, Silkie, Easter Eggers, Cuckoo Marans, Golden Comets 

~~~"And God came down from the heavens and He said unto the chicken, Thou shalt cross the road. And the chicken crossed the road and there was much rejoicing."~~~
Reply
post #3 of 22
3/20/09 at 4:16pm
Thread Starter 

I meant 16 inches from the bulb to the shavings!  I am too excited about my chicks to type correctly!celebrate

My Chicken Cam:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/deb-s-chicken-cam 
Wife, Mother, Grandmother, 1 dog, 1 cat, Silkie, Easter Eggers, Cuckoo Marans, Golden Comets 

~~~"And God came down from the heavens and He said unto the chicken, Thou shalt cross the road. And the chicken crossed the road and there was much rejoicing."~~~
Reply
My Chicken Cam:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/deb-s-chicken-cam 
Wife, Mother, Grandmother, 1 dog, 1 cat, Silkie, Easter Eggers, Cuckoo Marans, Golden Comets 

~~~"And God came down from the heavens and He said unto the chicken, Thou shalt cross the road. And the chicken crossed the road and there was much rejoicing."~~~
Reply
post #4 of 22
3/20/09 at 4:16pm

I would think as long as the light isn't touching anything you should be okay. I would make sure that pole is secure. Can you tape the end down so it doesn't roll?

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post #5 of 22
3/20/09 at 4:29pm

I kicked around the idea of putting an eye bolt or some other kind of hook in the ceiling, giving me the ability to raise and lower the light as needed.

Chris
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Chris
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post #6 of 22
3/20/09 at 4:34pm

Or even cut a notch in each side of the box for the pole to rest in. ..

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post #7 of 22
3/20/09 at 5:44pm

However you do it, double secure the heat lamp, so if the clamp pops or gives way, something will be there as backup to prevent the heat lamp from falling into the shavings.  I used a scrap of clothesline wire secured to a floor lamp, which is what the heat lamp was clamped to.  Maybe a broomstick across the box top to secure it to.  Hook in the ceiling if you need to.  (Is there a ceiling fan or light?)  You'll figure out something.

What is the temp UNDER the heat lamp?  I mean directly under it.

I hope your heat lamp has a ceramic base for the bulb, not a plastic one.

Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

Reply

Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

Reply
post #8 of 22
3/20/09 at 5:54pm

When your chicks come, watch what they do .. If they huttle all up top each other too cold...If they are completely scattered all over the place(along walls no where near light) TOO HOT.... If they are evenly distributed   in the light and around it, its perfect..

Owner of 50+ birds..egg layers and show birds : Raise standards and establishing a flock of SQ Light and SQ Buff Brahma Bantams.
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Owner of 50+ birds..egg layers and show birds : Raise standards and establishing a flock of SQ Light and SQ Buff Brahma Bantams.
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post #9 of 22
3/20/09 at 6:31pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks so much for all the wonderful replys! 

I tried putting the thermometer right under the light and it was very hot.  about 110, but around the edge it is 80.   I'm not sure how accurate that thermometer is.  Look at how old it is.  I will try to put another in there tomorrow morning before I go. 
I did tape down that pole.  I also poked a hole in the box under the pole and wrapped a ribbon tight to secure it.  Not going anywhere now.

My Chicken Cam:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/deb-s-chicken-cam 
Wife, Mother, Grandmother, 1 dog, 1 cat, Silkie, Easter Eggers, Cuckoo Marans, Golden Comets 

~~~"And God came down from the heavens and He said unto the chicken, Thou shalt cross the road. And the chicken crossed the road and there was much rejoicing."~~~
Reply
My Chicken Cam:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/deb-s-chicken-cam 
Wife, Mother, Grandmother, 1 dog, 1 cat, Silkie, Easter Eggers, Cuckoo Marans, Golden Comets 

~~~"And God came down from the heavens and He said unto the chicken, Thou shalt cross the road. And the chicken crossed the road and there was much rejoicing."~~~
Reply
post #10 of 22
3/20/09 at 8:15pm

Be careful about the red light.....I got a 250-watt heat lamp and the temp under it went I think up to 150 degrees or so. EEEEK! Needless to say we didn't use it at all. I can't see using it unless I had a BIG area to heat, and a way to hang it 4-5 feet above the chicks, only on one side of the brooding area.

Elisabeth
Chicken mom to 1 Japanese Black-tailed Buff Bantam hen (Baby), 1 EE hen (Biddy) and 1 SLW hen (Betty)
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Elisabeth
Chicken mom to 1 Japanese Black-tailed Buff Bantam hen (Baby), 1 EE hen (Biddy) and 1 SLW hen (Betty)
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