Brooder Heat Lamp

[1muttsfan]

Shelz, it is safest to use a bulb made for animals, and not a regular bulb. Some of the regular bulbs are teflon-coated, and not safe to use with birds. I also use a red bulb with my chicks. Make sure that they can move far enough away from the bulb to stay comfortable and not overheat.

 

[RonC]

And don't try to heat the whole brooder. One warm area is sufficient for them (unless you have many chicks) if they get chilled. Most of their area can be room temperature as long as they have a warm cozy spot if they get chilled. They don't stay under mom all the time when little, even in the winter. They will go where they are comfortable.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Folks have different opinions and that's fine, but having brooded out hundreds and hundreds of chicks for decades, the red light simply calms them and creates a more peaceful, restful environment. Sometimes, I have to fire up a white light, but I honestly do not like to do so. I'm very curious about these new ceramic units. I'd still keep the environment quite dim if and when I use one of those, maybe sometimes in the future.

I wanted to see if anyone has used the ceramic heat emitters (250 W) while brooding in the henhouse that is NOT HEATED. I'd love to be able to use those since they don't put out light at night. I'd run a dim red lamp so it wouldn't be totally dark at night, but just enough to get by.

So far I haven't been able to find anyone that has experience using the ceramic OUTSIDE IN HENHOUSE.... most are brooding in the house so they are sufficient there.

Know anyone who has used them outdoors?

 

[Fred's Hens]

I brood outside, in ambient air temps as low as 28 degrees, on occasional night time dips. Thus, the use of the rack bar 'O lights. It provides me with different options of output, as required. Thus, my interest in the ceramic emitter as well. There have been quite a few folks using these emitters as roost warmers for wintering birds, something I've no real interest in, but I can understand their use for that application, from a safety point of view.

 

[debid]

Still preparing for the arrival of my new chicks here.....(they are shipping the first of October)
Ive been reading all I can, and learning so much about proper care for my new babies.
My question is...whats the best heat bulb to use with chicks? My girls will be brooded in my house in an non air conditoned room. I do have a heat lamp, and I read, that I should use a 75 Watt bulb, and nothing hotter. Anybody have different suggestions? Also, would using a infra red bulb be better, so its not so bright all the time?

I was able to find a 100W Sylvania red brooder bulb from a farm supplier in Canada. It was cheaper that way than going to the pet store for a reptile lamp. I've heard of people using a dimmer to reduce heat output which would also help when brooding indoors where there is more danger of overheating than chilling them. If you're someone who will be brooding in the house every time, I'd get a Brinsea EcoGlow. It's expensive up front but the savings would pay for it eventually and there is no light output with that.

FWIW, my folks brooded their chicks in the house with regular white spot lamps. They didn't have any issues from using white light and they certainly aren't the only ones.

Just avoid any "shatterproof" bulbs because those have a coating that emits bird-toxic fumes when heated. They are often sold for bathroom use in the hardware stores.

 

[aoxa]

I brood outside, in ambient air temps as low as 28 degrees, on occasional night time dips.  Thus, the use of the rack bar 'O lights.  It provides me with different options of output, as required.  Thus, my interest in the ceramic emitter as well.     There have been quite a few folks using these emitters as roost warmers for wintering birds, something I've no real interest in, but I can understand their use for that application, from a safety point of view.

Do you raise chicks through winter?

28 degrees. That is warm We had our first clutch in February and the temps were plummeting to -20 at night. Did not lose a single chick.

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

http://www.petco.com/product/111475...r:adType=pla&gclid=CJby6ceCs7ICFQgGnQodxzYAcw

hey guys this is the one brand I used with the reptiles most. very reliable, even heating and good at holding temp. No hot spots like some "made in china" brands.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Do you raise chicks through winter?
28 degrees. That is warm

We had our first clutch in February and the temps were plummeting to -20 at night. Did not lose a single chick.

Forgot to put the F after stating a temp. I try to give the temps with either F or C so that folks can translate, and not assume. 28F is about -2C. Lower than that is tougher for the brooder to keep up. When it does, on rare occasion, I pull some covers over the brooding box. Not so important after week 3, but pretty nippy the first few weeks.

Yes, I've brooded in September/October and raised them through winter just fine, as they are feathered out by November and well able to withstand the bitter cold of the upcoming winter. That said, I don't prefer to do that as much anymore. I'm actually going the other way. Huge summer flocks, but seriously down sized for the winter. I'm only going to keep around 2 dozen birds this winter. That's enough. The numbers will balloon by three times come next spring. LOL

 

[aoxa]

Forgot to put the F after stating a temp.  I try to give the temps with either F or C so that folks can translate, and not assume.  28F is about -2C.   Lower than that is tougher for the brooder to keep up. When it does, on rare occasion, I pull some covers over the brooding box.  Not so important after week 3, but pretty nippy the first few weeks.   

Yes, I've brooded in September/October and raised them through winter just fine, as they are feathered out by November and well able to withstand the bitter cold of the upcoming winter.  That said, I don't prefer to do that as much anymore.  I'm actually going the other way.  Huge summer flocks, but seriously down sized for the winter.  I'm only going to keep around 2 dozen birds this winter.  That's enough.  The numbers will balloon by three times come next spring.  LOL

I figured you meant Fahrenheit. Still -2 is October temperatures here.

If you start in September, your birds should be laying by spring. Wouldn't that be beneficial?

What are the pros and cons about raising in fall? Is it just the feed costs? Does it affect their thriftiness at all?

Wow. 24 birds.. I can't imagine going down to that # now lol.

 

[Leahs Mom]

If you start in September, your birds should be laying by spring. Wouldn't that be beneficial?
What are the pros and cons about raising in fall? Is it just the feed costs? Does it affect their thriftiness at all?
Wow. 24 birds.. I can't imagine going down to that # now lol.

Yes, Fred...I was thinking that if I got my "kiddos" now (fall), they'd be ready to lay in spring. Is my thinking correct? I was hoping to avoid waiting until next August before the new batch started laying.

Am I just trying to "fool with mother nature"?