Can you use a dimmer switch on a heatlamp?

[cmom]

Quote:
That looks like a 150 watt shop lamp.

This is a 250 watt brooder lamp. This looks like mine but mine has a clamp on it.

 

[silkie-mom]

Petsmart sells a heat lamp fixture for less than 20 bucks rated for high wattage bulbs with a built in dimmer.

People use them for reptile set-ups. I use one for my turtle tank so I can regulate his heat at will without having to change bulbs.

 

[silkie-mom]

I have a question regarding heating in winter. I have my 11 silkies and live in virginia. It gets down to maybe 28-30 degrees some nights.
i know heating the coop isn't really needed, but they are spoiled and I like them to be warm. Does anyone else do this? I use a 250 watt red bulb and the coop stays around 55-60 degrees. I only turn it on at night though.

Also....maybe the wrong question for this thread, but is it normal for chickens to stand outside in the rain? Mine do this and it makes me crazy.

Most days when it rains I leave them in the coop because I don't want them making themselves sick from the cold rain.

They just seem so stoooooopid.

 

[bheila]

Quote:
My chickens sit in the rain all of the time and they look pathetic. More like drowned rats instead of wet chickens.