Ceramic Heat Bulb Questions

[RoosterML]

I would like some information from those using ceramic heat bulbs to raise chicks.I have both 50w and 200w bulbs.
What type of light fixture do you use it with?
I have both the metal cage holder and the Premier 1 light fixture.
What wattage do you use for how many chicks?
What are the pros and cons of it from your experience?
I am thinking I may give it a go on the next hatch due April 17th. I currently use a radiant heater I made from using two heat pads but it’s just another thing to clean. I am thinking the ceramic heat bulb would make it much easier to clean the brooder.
What say you. Here are some photos of the fixtures and bulbs I have. I was surprised to see the 50w and 200w bulb were the same size. One last question has anyone used the ceramic bulb in the Premier 1 fixture?

Please post pictures of your ceramic heat bulb setup!

 

[RoosterML]

I did some testing using the 50w ceramic heat bulb. Not happy with the results. To me the bulb needs to be way to close to the bedding in order for it to work.
Unheated Surface temp roughly 65*
Light fixture is 7” above surface putting the bulb itself about 9”-10” above surface.
Bulb surface temp 550*f
Center of bulb surface reading 95*
Edge of light fixture surface reading 85*+
To me in order to have chicks you would need to keep the bulb surface way to close to the bedding in order for it to keep the chicks heated with a 50w ceramic heat bulb. It could be used for 6-10 chicks with close supervision but surely not something I am going to do.
Here’s some photos:

Outter edge readings:


Center readings:

Room surface temp:

Bulb Surface Temp:

 

[CSAchook]

For chicks, I use a 150 watt ceramic heat emitter. I like that it is more shatterproof than a bulb and puts out no light. I use a much smaller wattage one for my gecko

My chicks are sleeping right now but I can get pictures of their setup tomorrow.

 

[SueT]

I have used a ceramic heat emitter for the last 3 yrs, and love it. I use a 75 watt bulb in a clamp light fixture, for small batches of chicks. It keeps them warm under, and they still go out into the cooler area. It has to be fairly low, as you can see in this photo. Like chicks with a mama hen, they don't need heat all the time after the first 2 or 3 days. They spend quite a bit of time not under it, in ambient room temp.
I like that it puts out no light so chicks sleep all night. I keep a thermometer under to monitor.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I am a Brinsea heating pad fan.....Light fixtures scare me!

 

[aart]

I would test more @aart but I already have it in service. Housing 15 - 2 week old chicks outside in my 5x9 coop and it 35* and they are doing fine with it.
I am really liking it. I would say heat circle is about 20”

Yeah, it's hard to measure the floor temp with chicks in the way....
...it is fun to have them chase the infrared dot tho.

 

[RoosterML]

28* last night out in the small coop and all are great running around this morning. You know they are good when you reach your hand out and the wannabe roosters try to attack your hand.
I am really liking this ceramic heat bulb.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I would like some information from those using ceramic heat bulbs to raise chicks.I have both 50w and 200w bulbs.
What type of light fixture do you use it with?
I have both the metal cage holder and the Premier 1 light fixture.
What wattage do you use for how many chicks?
What are the pros and cons of it from your experience?
I am thinking I may give it a go on the next hatch due April 17th. I currently use a radiant heater I made from using two heat pads but it’s just another thing to clean. I am thinking the ceramic heat bulb would make it much easier to clean the brooder.
What say you. Here are some photos of the fixtures and bulbs I have. I was surprised to see the 50w and 200w bulb were the same size. One last question has anyone used the ceramic bulb in the Premier 1 fixture?
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Please post pictures of your ceramic heat bulb setup!

I used the ceramic bulbs in the same fixture that you use the red bulbs in. I like the ceramic bulbs much better because they do not give off light at night. I just bought different wattages and went down in wattage every couple of weeks. The last time I just used one of my broody hens. I like that method the best.

 

[NewChkinTown]

For chicks, I use a 150 watt ceramic heat emitter. I like that it is more shatterproof than a bulb and puts out no light. I use a much smaller wattage one for my gecko

My chicks are sleeping right now but I can get pictures of their setup tomorrow.

Well that makes me feel better haha. I'm getting mixed reviews on using them but I have read they are much safer than the traditional red bulbs. I'm new to this lol. We will have 4 chicks and I don't want them to be too hot or too cold. I plan on using a large tote for a brooder and if I feel the 100w isn't quite enough we have a super warm spare room they can have to supplement lol.

 

[CSAchook]

Well that makes me feel better haha. I'm getting mixed reviews on using them but I have read they are much safer than the traditional red bulbs. I'm new to this lol. We will have 4 chicks and I don't want them to be too hot or too cold. I plan on using a large tote for a brooder and if I feel the 100w isn't quite enough we have a super warm spare room they can have to supplement lol.

FWIW I have used ceramic emitters with all my chicks and reptiles for the last couple years and have never had a problem with one. And I think a hundred watt one should work just fine for a medium sized brooder (my brooder is more on the large side hence the higher wattage)