Can I use a plant grow light instead of a traditional heat lamp with my baby chicks?

[LittleRedCoopLady]

So, I have 20 baby chicks arriving in two weeks. I wanted to stay away from a traditional heat lamp and wondered if anyone had used a plant grow light instead?

 

[Gray Farms]

I don't think it would put out enough heat.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

A heat lamp provides heat. A plant light provides light. Chicks need extra heat for a few weeks until they develop the ability to regulate their own body temperature. If you don't like heat lamps get them a brooder plate.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you don't like heat lamps get them a brooder plate.

I've never used a brooder plate or heating pad. Any idea how big of a brooder plate you might need for 20 chicks? A few years back Beekissed did a pros and cons of heat lamps versus heating pads. One of her Pro's for heat lamps was that they could handle larger numbers of chicks. Bee broods outside in her coop with those temperature swings. I'd think if you brood in a climate controlled house it would be easier with a plate or pad and higher numbers of chicks.

@LittleRedCoopLady I agree that a grow light doesn't give off that much heat. I would not try using one. If you can get one big enough, heating pads or heat plates work really well.

I'm not sure what your concern is with a heat lamp. They do use more electricity than the other methods so your electric bill will be higher. Anything electric has a fire risk if you don't set it up right. In my opinion if you throw away that clamp that comes with it and use wire to hold the heat lamp in place you greatly reduce your fire risk. Wire, not string that will burn or plastic that will melt.

You do not want to overheat your chicks. With 20 chicks your brooder should be big enough that you can heat one end and the other end can cool off to a much lower temperature. Even straight out of the incubator mine are really good about finding the temperature area they like. You can lower the temperature the heat lamp is causing by putting a dimmer in the circuit, moving the lamp further away, or do what I do, use a lower wattage bulb to lower heat output.

An alternative to the heat lamp is a hover. It's basically a shallow box with the open side down that traps heat. If you do an internet search on "chicken hover" you'll get some hits. Those are generally intended for brooding outside and a lot more than 20 chicks but it can be a cost effective way to brood them.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've never used a brooder plate or heating pad. Any idea how big of a brooder plate you might need for 20 chicks? A few years back Beekissed did a pros and cons of heat lamps versus heating pads. One of her Pro's for heat lamps was that they could handle larger numbers of chicks. Bee broods outside in her coop with those temperature swings. I'd think if you brood in a climate controlled house it would be easier with a plate or pad and higher numbers of chicks.

@LittleRedCoopLady I agree that a grow light doesn't give off that much heat. I would not try using one. If you can get one big enough, heating pads or heat plates work really well.

I'm not sure what your concern is with a heat lamp. They do use more electricity than the other methods so your electric bill will be higher. Anything electric has a fire risk if you don't set it up right. In my opinion if you throw away that clamp that comes with it and use wire to hold the heat lamp in place you greatly reduce your fire risk. Wire, not string that will burn or plastic that will melt.

You do not want to overheat your chicks. With 20 chicks your brooder should be big enough that you can heat one end and the other end can cool off to a much lower temperature. Even straight out of the incubator mine are really good about finding the temperature area they like. You can lower the temperature the heat lamp is causing by putting a dimmer in the circuit, moving the lamp further away, or do what I do, use a lower wattage bulb to lower heat output.

An alternative to the heat lamp is a hover. It's basically a shallow box with the open side down that traps heat. If you do an internet search on "chicken hover" you'll get some hits. Those are generally intended for brooding outside and a lot more than 20 chicks but it can be a cost effective way to brood them.

No I don't. I'd go by the manufacturer recommendations. I personally use a heat lamp and will always use one. I find them cheap and easy. I do brood out in a shed. I tend to brood 15 plus chicks at a time. I only use a 125 watt bulb. The 250 bulbs can be too hot unless you are brooding in cooler temperatures.

 

[MegTheHenEggQueen]

A heat lamp provides heat. A plant light provides light. Chicks need extra heat for a few weeks until they develop the ability to regulate their own body temperature. If you don't like heat lamps get them a brooder plate.

My grow lights are pretty bad ass and provide both heat and light for my medicine plants!

 

[MegTheHenEggQueen]

My grow lights are pretty bad ass and provide both heat and light for my medicine plants!

Reason I’m posting on here is bc I literally want to grow plants within my coop that I will feed my chickens. I have an enclosure area I put younger birds in while introduction and currently it isn’t being occupied. So I thought of putting some of my plants that I have growing in my actual growhouse with some lights in there idk

 

[Huntmaster]

I literally want to grow plants within my coop that I will feed my chickens.

They wouldn't last long chickens would eat them faster than you could ever grow. Wouldn't' be worth the electricity to try to keep them alive if there would be anything left from chickens.