A couple questions from a first timer

[P'Fowls]

Yes, there is a difference in them. These are heat lamps not red bulbs. You are correct about the red lamps producing infrared light and the others just producing light.

 

[chloezoebob101]

All of my dealers tell me that the red bulbs produces infrared rays that help keep bacteria down. I cant guarentee that though. I can say that they helps our chicks feel better. The red bulbs are also suppose to mimic night time in the chicks eyes, which is part of keeping them calmer.

I'm still gonna try!

 

[debid]

I see this explanation for red bulbs given quite often -- that they allow the chicks to have better "night" rest. I put spring chicks outdoors on our covered deck in a wooden brooder box with a hardware cloth lid. I used an infrared brooder heat lamp so nice, red light. My chicks were running around catching insects that were drawn to the light at night. They could obviously see very well and we all know chickens have terrible night vision. So, I have no doubt that there was plenty of visible light from that red lamp and it did not help them sleep at night. What it does do, though, is to make everything look red. That is supposed to reduce the incidence of pecking if a chick has an injury or a blood feather showing.

 

[P'Fowls]

I never said it didnt produce light. Its a giant light bulb that produces heat, of course there is going to be light. The red is what helps them stay calmer. Everything dosent work for everyone. They work for me. Thats all I can say.

 

[debid]

I never said it didnt produce light. Its a giant light bulb that produces heat, of course there is going to be light. The red is what helps them stay calmer. Everything dosent work for everyone. They work for me. Thats all I can say.

They worked for me too. I just wanted it to be clear that red heat lamps don't mimic night conditions. I know you can get ceramic heat bulbs and "night" reptile bulbs and some people use those for light reduction at night. But really, a $35 specialty bulb just isn't necessary. My semi-nocturnal chicks had no trouble adjusting to a regular day/night schedule. They were none the worse for their nighttime adventures.

 

[P'Fowls]

Thats funny, I dont kow why they claim it mimcs night. Its a light for goodness sake, how can a light mimic the dark. All I can say is with having the darker red light versus the clear they are alot calmer. Like I said, I have them both ways. They sleep when they get tired and full no matter what light I have. I tell my customers it is a personal choice of which they want. If they are in the house I would go red, so the light isnt as bright. They all work in the right setup, so it doesnt matter what you go with.

 

[ChickenCrazy8]

Hi all! I'm new to BYC and I just ordered 6 chicks from MyPetChicken: 1 Black Australorp, 1 Silver Laced Wyandotte, 1 Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, 1 Buff Brahma and 2 Blue (hopefully!) Andalusians. They won't be shipping for a couple of months (due to some of the breeds availability) so I've got plenty of time to build a super-coop for my new buddies! I have a couple of questions to pose to you:
1. What are your opinions on medicated feed for the babies? Pros and cons?
2. I am planning on a nipple watering system for the coop/run. How early should I introduce the chicks to a nipple system?
3. What are your thoughts on brooder light? Should I use a regular bulb or a red bulb? Does it make much difference?
Thank you for your thoughts! I love BYC and have already found so much great advice here!

1. I use non medicated feed and my chicks grew up fine!!!!
2. I have never used a nipple watering system

3. Pros, for the red light. It won't make night look like day
Cons, for the red light. Chickens need 14 hrs a day to lay, so if you want them laying in the winter you need a light and the red light won't really help.

Hope this helps, and have fun