Ceramic Heat Bulb Questions

[RoosterML]

@Trisseh
That sounds way to much to me. The one bulb should be more than fine. As long as they have a place to go warm up I don’t see why you need all the extra.

 

[0die]

I recently scored one at a second hand store. Some of the numbers are rubbed off but I think it's a 50 watt. not much but it hangs pretty low and puts out enough heat for 5 chicks in south texas.

I think how many watts needed is really dependent upon your local climate.

 

[Trisseh]

@Trisseh
That sounds way to much to me. The one bulb should be more than fine. As long as they have a place to go warm up I don’t see why you need all the extra.

I’m not saying all setups are going to be the same as mine, just how mine was set up for my situation. I did put a thermometer in there at each end to monitor and the bulbs had to be high enough they wouldn’t contact them, so lost a lot of heat that way. I think ambient temp of 55-60 F in the “cold” side and 70-75 F in the “hot” corner was appropriate. These were day olds that had just been shipped 10 hours. We were having night time temps around -8, -10 C (14-16 degrees F) but swinging up to 10-12 C (50-53 F) above for the high each day. I based it on the ducklings behaviour more than temperature obviously and adjusted as needed. Lol. They preferred to be on top of the heating pad at varying distances from the lamp for bedtime and were ranging all over in the house during the day, so I would say they were alright. Once they started getting some feathers I removed the far lamp and raised the other, and within a few weeks the outside temps had stabilized and they didn’t need supplemental heat any longer.

I think the takeaway here for all of us is find what works for you.

 

[aart]

I think how many watts needed is really dependent upon your local climate.

No doubt that ambient temps are going to have a big affect on CHE's effective range.

 

[RoosterML]

I just ordered 100w ones because in my brooder I can’t lift it up anymore and the 150w are just a tad much. Chicks are happy! Guess that’s what matters. I have 50 meaties coming in next week can’t wait to give it a go with a larger quantity or maybe I’ll use the red bulb. So far I really really like them. Now I have 50w,150w,200w and 100w on the way. Should be set for any setup now.

 

[spartacus_63]

I have used heat lamps and they always worked well. I currently use the Brinsea Ecoglow brooders and Heat pads (depending on the situation). The chicks love the ecoglow and they get under them just like they get under a broody mama. I use the heat pads once the chicks out grow the ecoglow but the temps are still cold at night.

The electric brooders & heat pads are more expensive than the bulbs, but the operating coasts are much less. I have had my brooders for seven years and they still work like new. Bulbs rarely last (me) more than a couple of years. Cost aside, the safety and convenience are worth it to me.

I'm not a Brinsea sales representative and there are other brands out there that I'm sure work as well, but I haven't tried them.

 

[aart]

I just ordered 100w ones because in my brooder I can’t lift it up anymore and the 150w are just a tad much.

Can you run them on a dimmer cord?

 

[Chickenmeme]

I recently went to the heating pad and I’ll never go back!!! I love love it and so do my chicks

 

[RoosterML]

I recently went to the heating pad and I’ll never go back!!! I love love it and so do my chicks

Been there done that, but that’s not what this thread is about.

 

[Trisseh]

I wonder if a draft guard would make a difference with the ceramic bulbs, if you would get better or more even heat distribution... probably could use a lower wattage too, in that case, if it minimizes heat loss well enough. might be something I try for the next batch of babies when they come...