Brooder help

[Julieerica]

Hi there, wondering if anyone can tell me what wattage of bulb do I need for my heat lamp for my brooder?

 

[Nyla]

Standard Heat bulbs are 250 watt

 

[featheredplanets]

250 is too high (unless brooding in a barn or a very large brooder), in my opinion. I used a 60 or 80 when brooding them with a heat lamp. But if you’re interested, there are other alternatives, the more expensive one is a heat plate, or the one I can’t wait to try, the Mama Heating Pad, it’s much more natural than a heat lamp, safer and less stressful on them, probably cheaper in the long run too. I don’t have the link the article on hand, I’m sure someone will, but from what I’ve read I definitely recommend that.

 

[Sunny-Side Up]

How big is your brooder? I use a 125 watt heat lamp bulb and it's perfectly fine for my small brooder. 250 is really high, but if you have a big brooder it might work. However, I would recommend using multiple lower wattage bulbs if you have a bigger brooder. No matter what you do, always watch your chicks. If they are pressing against the sides, spread out, or panting, they're too hot. If they huddle beneath the lamp and try to warm up with each other, it's too cold. If they go throughout the brooder and seem content, you're good. Do know that chicks will sleep with each other, so don't freak out about that. Start the temp at about 95 degrees F for the first week, then lower it by about 5 degrees each week until they're ready to leave the brooder.

 

[Julieerica]

It’s a small brooder, a large Rubbermaid tub. No chicks yet, just getting ready for them! Thank you for the help!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

It’s a small brooder, a large Rubbermaid tub. No chicks yet, just getting ready for them! Thank you for the help!

Personally I think the fact that you will be using a small tote style brooder makes using a non light based heat source even more important to consider. Small spaces are so much easier to overheat then large spaces are and light based heat are the most likely to cause said overheating. Non light based heat sources do not heat the area at all but rather simply warm a spot directly beneath them where the birds can make contact and gain warmth that way. When your space is already limited it's important to make as much of the space available for living as possible. If your chicks are trying to avoid an overly warm portion of the brooder that will significantly impact the amount of space they have available to them. If you do wish to use light based heat do be sure to use the lowest wattage possible due to the small space.

 

[K813ZRA]

I get the ones from the pet store that are 75w. But I brood in a heated building too. But the standard bulbs from TSC etc are 250. I have used those before but they put out a LOT of heat.

 

[ChickNanny13]

In the past I used a 40 - 60 watt regular bulb, large plastic bin brooder in the house until about 4 - 6wks. Not anymore ... Now I use the MHP (heating pad), still use the plastic bin but they're in the house ONLY for a week for observation. Then they go outside in the brooder in the patio with their MHP.

Using the MHP I've noticed as has a friend I raise chicks for, they are calm/non skittish and not so noisy. They sleep at night (no more peeping all night long) & wake in the morning (quietly peeping). No more dust & stink, then again I ferment feed so I don't get that stink anymore.

Highly recommend the heating pad, there's a thread by Blooie in the Raising Chicks forum

 

[MadisonOde]

Would this one be ok?

 

[MadisonOde]

I can't find a dimmer in stores near me, and online it won't get here until Thursday. Should I just go and buy a different wattage heat lamp?