A quick question on brooder lights.

[aeiou]

I will be brooding a few ducks for the first time soon. In "Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks" Holderread recommends the use of blue bulbs in brooders to reduce eye strain and feather eating. However I keep seeing pictures of peoples brooders using red lights. A quick Google image search of "duck brooder" will show this.

What is the best type of light to use in a brooder? How much does color really matter?

Thanks!

 

[aprille218]

I've used red and clear bulbs with no difference. As long as they have good space, food, water and heat ducks aren't big on feather picking/ eating.
Aprille

 

[aeiou]

I've used red and clear bulbs with no difference. As long as they have good space, food, water and heat ducks aren't big on feather picking/ eating.
Aprille

That's pretty much what I figured. I looked for blue bulbs today at my local farm supply store and they didn't have them. I've got clear on hand and will use them unless someone educates me otherwise.

 

[needlessjunk]

That's pretty much what I figured. I looked for blue bulbs today at my local farm supply store and they didn't have them. I've got clear on hand and will use them unless someone educates me otherwise.

I too read that and no one has blue so I went with red since they get nice and hot. Never had any problems. I think it's mainly chicks that need the red so they don't kill eachother pecking a red spot.

 

[Kaessa]

This is also an option if you don't want light at all:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F9CV7K...TF8&colid=3Q05GTM60N3L0&coliid=I11MAC6RZQF4L9

I'm debating one, but they're kind of expensive.