Can I use this heater instead of a lightbulb for my chicks?

[banananutmuffin]

I know lightbulbs are probably the standard brooder heater for a reason... but I was wondering if I could use an electric heater like this one instead: http://www.amazon.com/Lasko-754200-...DQ5C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302278044&sr=8-1

 

[yotetrapper]

I doubt it. I think it would be all but impossible to regulate.

 

[chickensinwasillaAK]

I wouldn't use on like that. At about 2 weeks they'll likely tip it over. Other problem is they'll crowd up to it which will cause some cheicks to get squished.

 

[banananutmuffin]

I was actually thinking about using it outside of the brooder. My brooder will have hardware cloth/wire on all four sides as well as the top, so I was going to sit the heater outside of it and point it inside. I figured I could regulate the temp the same way, by moving it closer or further away as needed.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I have used a heater just in the same room at the same time as using a bulb just because it was a cool space. Even a few feet away from the brooder the heater got pretty dusty from all the bedding and food scratched about. it shortened the life span of the heater.

The other issue is the chicks might have a harder time regulating their comfort for themselves. They like to move closer and further away from a bulb, and with a blowing heater that might be more difficult to do.

 

[banananutmuffin]

scratch'n'peck :

The other issue is the chicks might have a harder time regulating their comfort for themselves. They like to move closer and further away from a bulb, and with a blowing heater that might be more difficult to do.

Yeah, this makes sense to me. I'm not worried about the lifespan of the heater, but I would want the chicks to be comfortable. I thought about aiming it basically at a corner of the brooder, so that the heat blew basically across one corner rather than actually into the whole brooder, but I am not certain how comfortable that would be. It's just for some reason, I hate the idea of a light bulb....​

 

[debid]

You don't want air blowing on them, not even if it's warm air. Check out the Sweeter Heater -- it's a panel heater rather than a light bulb.

 

[Fred's Hens]

You can use a heater, such as that, as a supplement, but not a replacement for an over head lamp. Place it under the tank. Heat rises. The warmth will make its way up and through the bottom of the tank. I've done this.

What you'll need to watch out for is over heating the chicks, which is far more deadly than being 5 degrees too cool.