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Light concerns

post #1 of 7
4/24/12 at 8:10pm
Thread Starter 

Help!! I have heard from a source that you are not suppose to use a white light because the chicks can be blinded by them.. Is this true?? I also heard not to use the red bulbs. What do I do? I started them on a 250 watt bulb, used it for like one day then went to 100 watt because 250 i think was too hot. We are now at a 60 watt and all the bulbs have been white, so are my chicks blind then? Really hope not, any help is greatly appreciated.. The chicks are probably 5 weeks give or take.

1 Isa Brown, 1 Easter Egg-er, 2 Rhode Island Reds, and 1 Boxer

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1 Isa Brown, 1 Easter Egg-er, 2 Rhode Island Reds, and 1 Boxer

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post #2 of 7
4/24/12 at 9:19pm

I used a white bulb on my first batch of chickens and they turned out fine. I had the light at the back end of the brooder with the food at the other end so they were mainly looking away from the light.

 

It sounds like you're doing fine, you can always test their sight by feeding them by hand and seeing if they recognize food.It took a couple of times before they hurried to my outstreched hand with their food in it ,they liked thinking they were getting something special.

one loving wife,two homeschooled children,one buff orpingtons,two barred rocks, five black australorps,rockie the hounddog,and lulu the cat.{and a partridge in a ....}

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one loving wife,two homeschooled children,one buff orpingtons,two barred rocks, five black australorps,rockie the hounddog,and lulu the cat.{and a partridge in a ....}

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post #3 of 7
4/24/12 at 9:42pm

The red bulbs make it so they can't see blood as well -- if a chick becomes injured or gets pecked at, the others won't see the blood and kill it. That's essentially the major difference. If your chicks don't end up pecking at each other and drawing blood though, you'll never notice the difference using the white light, I don't think.

 

A white light will not make your chicks go blind. People have been using white lights for decades without any issues. Well, except for the blood thing.

3 Easter Eggers (Goldie, Puccho, Hawk), Cuckoo Maran (Loco), Barred Rock (Rocky), SL Wyandotte (Lacey), Welsummer (Summer), 2 Delawares (Della & Stick), Buff Orpington (Penny), Australorp (Astro), Danish Brown Leghorn (Dash), Salmon Faverolle (Sammy), White Rock (Angel), and a Dark Brahma (Billy). ...and 2 turkeys, JuCee the BBW tom and Narrie the Narragansett hen. Cornish-X's (0% mortality).

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3 Easter Eggers (Goldie, Puccho, Hawk), Cuckoo Maran (Loco), Barred Rock (Rocky), SL Wyandotte (Lacey), Welsummer (Summer), 2 Delawares (Della & Stick), Buff Orpington (Penny), Australorp (Astro), Danish Brown Leghorn (Dash), Salmon Faverolle (Sammy), White Rock (Angel), and a Dark Brahma (Billy). ...and 2 turkeys, JuCee the BBW tom and Narrie the Narragansett hen. Cornish-X's (0% mortality).

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post #4 of 7
4/25/12 at 6:20am
No, it is not true. White is very nearly all that I have ever used unless I really need a lot of heat when I'll go with the big 250w IR bulbs.

It may not make any difference but I prefer to use frosted white bulbs rather than the clear ones.
Chance favors the prepared mind.
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Chance favors the prepared mind.
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post #5 of 7
4/25/12 at 7:49am

I went with the red heat bulbs because it was much easier for me to keep the heat regulated. I had the white 60 watt the first day and on day two changed.

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post #6 of 7
4/25/12 at 9:27am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by A.T. Hagan View Post

No, it is not true. White is very nearly all that I have ever used unless I really need a lot of heat when I'll go with the big 250w IR bulbs.
It may not make any difference but I prefer to use frosted white bulbs rather than the clear ones.

 

 X-2 on that ...cva34

And look how big A.T. Roosters Grow  LOL

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post #7 of 7
4/26/12 at 7:59pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks all, you have no clue how much I appreciate the help.. I am new to this, my mom got the chicks for my 3 kids for Easter.

1 Isa Brown, 1 Easter Egg-er, 2 Rhode Island Reds, and 1 Boxer

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1 Isa Brown, 1 Easter Egg-er, 2 Rhode Island Reds, and 1 Boxer

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