Brooder light

[Iwannachicken]

My DH is building our brooder today. He plugged the lamp in to see how hot it got and was concerned about getting it too close. The only wattage we could find was a 250. How far away should the light be from the chicks? He can make it adjustable, we just don't know where to start.

If there's a thread, please point me in that direction. It's so easy to get side tracked looking through all the posts. I'll be here all day!

Thanks,
Karen

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I brood in the basement so I hang the 250 watt lamp from chain which is connected by hooks to the rafters. It allows me to raise and lower as needed.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Interested in this also. Was just reading about heat/light in a book and almost wonder if the 250 may be too much for a small number of chicks so late in the spring.

I think your best bet is a thermometer for managing this.

 

[Judy]

Some buy 100W or smaller red bulbs in Wallyworld or wherever. They do not have to be heat lamps, just light bulbs.

Some also put a dimmer switch on the 250W, and adjust it downward. Agree that a cheapie thermometer will help you adjust it before the chicks arrive.

Good that you are looking at this before cooking your chicks!

 

[mermaidgoat]

We have a 250 watt red bulb (it was the only one the store had, and we needed it *that* day). Our chicks will be 3 weeks old on Tuesday and we have the bulb suspended from the ceiling. Right now the bulb is about 2 feet from the top of our brooder and it's about 80-85 degrees F in there.

 

[Iwannachicken]

Thanks so much for the ideas. I'll try to see if Walmart has a smaller watt red light bulb. That would be the simpler solution. Hopefully they'll let me exchange it.

I have a thermometer, but am not home to check it for part of the day. It's already pretty warm here and we're brooding in the garage, so I don't think cold will be the problem.

Chicks here in two days!