250 watt heat lamp to close or to far

[webbysmeme]

That's what the farm supply store told me. My babies are going to be here this morning!

You can get exactly the same affect with 60W lamp.

 

[webbysmeme]

I've got a 5ft. Swimming pool sitting on a quilt, I have a heating pad that I can use, what is best? Please help me get ready for them?

 

[bobbi-j]

You can get exactly the same affect with 60W lamp.

I would think that would depend upon where the chicks are being brooded. OP has not said if it’s in a warm house or out in a coop. My chicks are brooded in an unheated coop. A 60 watt bulb would not be sufficient in Minnesota in March, April or May and June would s iffy. In some situations a 250 watt bulb is needed. Like when chicks are in a coop with plenty of space and it gets well below freezing at night. Until we know where these chicks are kept, we can’t say one way or another whether that bulb is too much or not.

 

[webbysmeme]

I would think that would depend upon where the chicks are being brooded. OP has not said if it’s in a warm house or out in a coop. My chicks are brooded in an unheated coop. A 60 watt bulb would not be sufficient in Minnesota in March, April or May and June would s iffy. In some situations a 250 watt bulb is needed. Like when chicks are in a coop with plenty of space and it gets well below freezing at night. Until we know where these chicks are kept, we can’t say one way or another whether that bulb is too much or not.

They will be in the guest room. How close should the light be to them? Is a heating pad a good idea for them to lay on. I'm in Illinios, it's cold here last night it got down in the 30's! I just know they are some place freezing.

 

[bobbi-j]

i was going by picture that was posted.In picture light is right on top of chicks

Pictures can be deceiving, so until you know the facts from the OP, don’t make things up. It doesn’t help the OP, and that’s what we’re trying to do here.

 

[webbysmeme]

Pictures can be deceiving, so until you know the facts from the OP, don’t make things up. It doesn’t help the OP, and that’s what we’re trying to do here.

Bobbi-j, is a light needed? I have the heat on. I have an electric heater going in the room. Can I just put the XL heating pad in the bottom for them to get on? Or do they need a light?

 

[The Moonshiner]

I would think that would depend upon where the chicks are being brooded. OP has not said if it’s in a warm house or out in a coop. My chicks are brooded in an unheated coop. A 60 watt bulb would not be sufficient in Minnesota in March, April or May and June would s iffy. In some situations a 250 watt bulb is needed. Like when chicks are in a coop with plenty of space and it gets well below freezing at night. Until we know where these chicks are kept, we can’t say one way or another whether that bulb is too much or not.

Exactly right.
I brood in an insulated but unheated garage. I use 250w bulbs with dimmer cords. A couple months ago I was running 250w bulbs without the dimmers on and had them about 24" above chicks.
In a couple months I could easily get away with 75w bulbs but back in January a 60w bulb would of provided next to 0 heat. Just as a 250w bulb would at 8 feet above them.
The temp at chick level is what matters so you have to use what works to get it right rather its a 60w bulb or a 250w bulb.

 

[bobbi-j]

Bobbi-j, is a light needed? I have the heat on. I have an electric heater going in the room. Can I just put the XL heating pad in the bottom for them to get on? Or do they need a light?

If they're going to be in your house, they certainly don't need a 250 watt bulb. Did your feed store know you were going to start them out indoors? If not, they weren't out of line selling you that one.

I don't know if a heating pad under them is adequate or not. I have never tried it. I would encourage you to go to the "Raising Baby Chicks" section of the forum and find the Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder thread. It's super long, but you only need to read the first few pages, then skip around. I am brooding chicks out in my coop with temps getting into the 30's at night and they are thriving. They are just over a week old.

Do you have an outside space ready for them? They could be jumping out of that pool in as little as two weeks. Chickens also create an unbelievable amount of dust and dander. Something to consider if you or anyone in your house has allergies or asthma.

 

[webbysmeme]

If they're going to be in your house, they certainly don't need a 250 watt bulb. Did your feed store know you were going to start them out indoors? If not, they weren't out of line selling you that one.

I don't know if a heating pad under them is adequate or not. I have never tried it. I would encourage you to go to the "Raising Baby Chicks" section of the forum and find the Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder thread. It's super long, but you only need to read the first few pages, then skip around. I am brooding chicks out in my coop with temps getting into the 30's at night and they are thriving. They are just over a week old.

Do you have an outside space ready for them? They could be jumping out of that pool in as little as two weeks. Chickens also create an unbelievable amount of dust and dander. Something to consider if you or anyone in your house has allergies or asthma.

I'm looking at that now. I saw it the other day and just thought about it this morning.I was out in the garage until 2:00 this morning, building a frame around
chicken wire to put on top of the pool. I have two dogs and four cats! How tall does that frame for the heating pad need to be?4-5"?

 

[webbysmeme]

I'm looking at that now. I saw it the other day and just thought about it this morning.I was out in the garage until 2:00 this morning, building a frame around
chicken wire to put on top of the pool. I have two dogs and four cats! How tall does that frame for the heating pad need to be?4-5"?

I just just rigged up my mama heating pad thing. I took pics, will this do. Also I've decided to put them in the basement. It's not real cool. Will I need to use the heat lamp? 250watt ? Their not here yet. I still have time to make changes if needed. The heating pad is 3-4" from floor.