I know there is probably a thread like this out their somewhere, but I couldn't find one that really answered the question.
So, we're getting to the phase of building our chick brooder. Since we're getting a lot of chicks in a few weeks (plus ducks and turkeys about 8 weeks later), we're going with a design that we saw on the brooder thread of a 4x4ft box elevated off of the floor. Since it's still particularly warm (by my standards, I'm spent the last three winters in Northern Oregon), we're just going to brood them in the garage. They're supposed to be arriving the week of Feb 9th.
We got this lamp from TSC a few days ago, but the bulbs sold at TSC have very poor reviews, so we didn't want to buy bad quality ones.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/producers-pridereg;-brooder-lamp-with-6-ft-cord
My question is, to heat a box that's about 4x4ft when it's still averaging only 40 at night, what sort of bulb should I get? I know red is better to prevent pecking, but I'm not sure what brand to get or where to get it from.
The other question is in regards to when to heat. I know that those temps are too low for the chicks at night, but is 70s high enough to turn off the light during the day at a certain age? First time chick mother.
During the day, it's in the 70s on average. We have had a few frosty days, but few and far between. Today was chilly at only 60, but it rained and will keep the temp at 49 tonight. I imagine that, at night, it will require a 250 watt bulb to keep them warm. But would that be necessary during the day?
Thanks everyone.

So, we're getting to the phase of building our chick brooder. Since we're getting a lot of chicks in a few weeks (plus ducks and turkeys about 8 weeks later), we're going with a design that we saw on the brooder thread of a 4x4ft box elevated off of the floor. Since it's still particularly warm (by my standards, I'm spent the last three winters in Northern Oregon), we're just going to brood them in the garage. They're supposed to be arriving the week of Feb 9th.

We got this lamp from TSC a few days ago, but the bulbs sold at TSC have very poor reviews, so we didn't want to buy bad quality ones.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/producers-pridereg;-brooder-lamp-with-6-ft-cord
My question is, to heat a box that's about 4x4ft when it's still averaging only 40 at night, what sort of bulb should I get? I know red is better to prevent pecking, but I'm not sure what brand to get or where to get it from.
The other question is in regards to when to heat. I know that those temps are too low for the chicks at night, but is 70s high enough to turn off the light during the day at a certain age? First time chick mother.

During the day, it's in the 70s on average. We have had a few frosty days, but few and far between. Today was chilly at only 60, but it rained and will keep the temp at 49 tonight. I imagine that, at night, it will require a 250 watt bulb to keep them warm. But would that be necessary during the day?
Thanks everyone.
