Chicks and heat inside my house

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tiffmw10

Songster
6 Years
Mar 22, 2014
204
9
116
Indiana
If my house is kept around 68-70 degrees, how hot of bulb do I need? I am reading 100 watt regular bulb, but the feed store sold me a 250 red bulb. I don't want cooked chicks ;(
 
You'll need to use a thermometer where the chicks are to know if you need to move the light closer or farther away. Any light that puts out any measurable amount of heat should work in a draft-free home. The distance from your lights to the chicks is the only variable for you to deal with now.

If you notice the chicks are all huddled directly under the light you should move the light closer. If you notice they are all trying to stay as far as possible from the light then you'll need to move it farther away, as it's too hot.

There is a lot of information on this site if you just use the search box.
 
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Thank you! This is how they are now with the 250 watt.
 
That's a chicken cooker, not a chicken brooder. They're in the far corner and can't get any farther away from the heat if they need to.
When I brood chicks inside my house I use a 45 watt bulb in one end about 8" off the floor, shining straight down. If they pile up I lower the light an inch or so, if they scatter I raise the light an inch or so. When they're in a loose little group they're just right. I've never used a thermometer in a brooder.
I use this same method in totes inside my house, as well as in brooders and wire cages outside.
Hope this helps.
 
That's a chicken cooker, not a chicken brooder. They're in the far corner and can't get any farther away from the heat if they need to.
When I brood chicks inside my house I use a 45 watt bulb in one end about 8" off the floor, shining straight down. If they pile up I lower the light an inch or so, if they scatter I raise the light an inch or so. When they're in a loose little group they're just right. I've never used a thermometer in a brooder.
I use this same method in totes inside my house, as well as in brooders and wire cages outside.
Hope this helps.


Thanks! I got it figured out today for this is MY FIRST flock. We bought a 100 year old farm and you have to start somewhere, right?? I moved the lamp around, further from the babies and it's at a steady temp. Thanks again for your opinions and sharing your knowledge.
 
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At least you asked. The people that didn't ask are currently on the Emergencies & Illness board posting thread after thread of "HELP!! My chicks are dieing"
 
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Please report posts that violate BYC rules, rather than quote them or respond to them. Thank you.
 
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