Blue Light?

[aineheartsyou]

I read in Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks that a blue light is easier on ducklings eyes but it didn't say exactly what kind of light. incandescent, fluorescent, halogen? I have seen blue day bulbs at the pet stores for reptiles

 

[missmaryb]

I don't have the answer but just wanted to say: Isn't that a fantasitc book?! I have read a bunch of the "Storey's Guide" series and love the detail!

 

[aineheartsyou]

it is! I have many spots book marked

 

[The Duck ABC's]

The blue light spectrum is on the cool end. So you can buy blue bulbs or simply white bulbs. I would not use halogen, it is way to intense. Fluorescent does not emit heat, so it is out of the question for the brooder. I use standard white light bulbs in various wattage for the brooder. Be aware that blue light makes them lay larger eggs too, which is not always a good thing. I use a natural spectrum light in their duck house for the laying hens.

 

[Amiga]

A more initially expensive but really helpful item we used was ceramic heat bulbs - no light, just heat. They come in different wattages. I had mine from a reptile I kept for 29 years. She passed away a few months before the ducklings arrived.

 

[aineheartsyou]

Quote:
huh, that is interesting. i will have to do some looking around the reptile section at the petstore

 

[The Duck ABC's]

Remember to use in addition a baby night light, if you use a heat disk. Ducklings get frightened, if they can't see what it around them.

 

[azhenhouse]

Quote:
I was just at Home Depot today trying to figure out what blue light he was talking about. I have no clue, so I went ahead and got the red heat lamp light.

 

[aineheartsyou]

I went to Petco today and checked out the reptile section and they had blue heat lights in 40, 60 and 100 watts. I picked up a 60 watt for 8 bucks

 

[Lamar Estate]

FYI--

A few weeks ago there was an article on Murray McMurray's website about the dangers of red bulbs.

http://blog.mcmurrayhatchery.com/20...nt-bulbs-a-potential-danger-to-your-chickens/