Brinsea Ecoglow chick brooder - one BIG flaw!

[Happy Chooks]

Thanks for the response!

I have 9 chicks and they seem happy during the day, but I am concerned about the nights. I'm closely watching them and may supplement with a heat lamp at night. (I have a 100 watt heat lamp) The chicks just hatched 2 days ago, so I'm a worry wart right now. They spent the night last night with a heat lamp and I'm testing the Eco Glow out during the day today.

No ducks here. LOL though!

 

[CupOJoe42]

Wow, this thread is so old that I almost responded to my own newbie questions! I have both of the Brinsea Ecoglows. The larger one is roughly 15 1/2" x 20 1/2". I've used them in the basement brooder, so not sure how they are outdoors.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I thought I'd give an update on how the Eco Glow is working for me.

As I said earlier, I brood outdoors (in Northern CA) in a small coop. I have chicks that were 2 days old and the small (20 chick) Eco Glow. I was concerned about them being warm enough with just the Eco Glow with it being winter outside. I supplemented with a 100 watt incandescent light bulb last night and I piled some shavings under a paper towel to make it higher on one side, so the chicks could lay down and keep warm instead of standing. It was 40 degrees out this morning and when I checked on them this morning, they were all cozy under the Eco Glow, but they weren't coming out til it was warmer out!

I will continue with the 100 watt for the first week (assuming the weather stays the same) then remove it and go back to the 25 watt party bulb for light.

So far I'm very happy with it. Sure beats the 250 watt heat lamp!

 

[ChristineR]

I have a question for those of you that own the EcoGlow: how high is the lowest height setting?

I have Serama eggs in the inbubator and am nervous about leaving a heat lamp on in the house while I'm gone during the day. However, the chicks are going to be teeny, tiny so I'm wondering if they will be tall enough for this brooder to work for me...

 

[Happy Chooks]

I have a question for those of you that own the EcoGlow: how high is the lowest height setting?

I have Serama eggs in the inbubator and am nervous about leaving a heat lamp on in the house while I'm gone during the day. However, the chicks are going to be teeny, tiny so I'm wondering if they will be tall enough for this brooder to work for me...

I'd be worried about leaving a heat lamp on all day in my house too. I've seen quite a few stories here about the heat lamp starting fires.

No, it wouldn't be tall enough at the lowest setting BUT you do have options. You can pile something up under it to get them closer to the heat - shavings, wash cloth, towel, etc. I had some chicks (Icelandics) that were having to stand up all the time to get the heat, so I piled shavings under it and covered them with a paper towel. It worked great. There's no fire danger, so you don't have to worry about that.

I am thrilled with mine, it works beautifully and the chicks are happy under it, like they would be under a broody.

 

[ChristineR]

I know--I've been trying to think up solutions to my problem--from begging my mom to chicksit at her house during the day, to bringing the chicks to work with me and putting them under my desk--not sure how coworkers would react to that, though.

So if I piled up the bedding or used a wash cloth, it's not hot enough for the bedding to catch fire even if it came in contact with the heated part of the brooder?

 

[featherz]

I know--I've been trying to think up solutions to my problem--from begging my mom to chicksit at her house during the day, to bringing the chicks to work with me and putting them under my desk--not sure how coworkers would react to that, though.

So if I piled up the bedding or used a wash cloth, it's not hot enough for the bedding to catch fire even if it came in contact with the heated part of the brooder?

No way, you can put your hand right on it and leave it there. it won't catch fire. If you have the 50, you can put it very low and put one side lower than the other - so smaller chicks can huddle on that end with the biggers on the other. I love my ecoglow (s).

 

[Happy Chooks]

I know--I've been trying to think up solutions to my problem--from begging my mom to chicksit at her house during the day, to bringing the chicks to work with me and putting them under my desk--not sure how coworkers would react to that, though.

So if I piled up the bedding or used a wash cloth, it's not hot enough for the bedding to catch fire even if it came in contact with the heated part of the brooder?

Nope, you can put your hand right on it and not get burned. It's radiant heat, like a heating pad. I'd say a heating pad gets hotter than the Eco Glow. No way it would start a fire. It's fantastic and you won't regret buying it.

Did I mention it's only 18 watts, so it's much nicer on your power bill too.

 

[cva34]

I have a Eco 20 and its height sitting on floor is 8 and 1/4 inches .What is that same measurement on the Eco 50?.Not trying to hi jack thread ! Just need to know building a brooder and need that measurement to be sure it fits..Got lotsa people that know ECO's.. THANKS ...cva34

 

[Vina8]

I just ordered my Eco 20 for the 13 chicks that will be shipped next week. I was very happy to find this thread, since like many of you, I am concerned about leaving a heat lamp on if I am not at home.