I have used both the reptile lights and the red brooder lamps.
With the reptile lights I used a 100 watt bulb while they were small and then went to a 60 watt bulb as they got older.
The red bulbs that are sold in the feed stores are all 250 watts and I use those also in the cage type lamp.
I never turned my brooder lights on for 24 hours before bringing home my chicks and as said it does not matter what you brood them in for material.
I have used the white and red and never saw a difference in any of my chickens.
Don't worry about it too much, get what you have access to as long as its within the wattage guidelines for chicks.
With the reptile lights I used a 100 watt bulb while they were small and then went to a 60 watt bulb as they got older.
The red bulbs that are sold in the feed stores are all 250 watts and I use those also in the cage type lamp.
I never turned my brooder lights on for 24 hours before bringing home my chicks and as said it does not matter what you brood them in for material.
I have used the white and red and never saw a difference in any of my chickens.
Don't worry about it too much, get what you have access to as long as its within the wattage guidelines for chicks.
