Chicks arriving tomorrow or Thursday.........Help quick!

[FarmerCluck]

We are getting 5 chicks by mail either tomorrow or Thursday. I have a rubbermaid tub ready for the brooder with a 250 watt red bulb for heat. However, last night when I was looking here on the forum, it seemed like this might be way too hot for so few chicks. So........tonight I went out and bought a 100 watt bulb, just a regular one, not red. Do you think that will be OK for heating the brooder for 5 chicks? How important is it to have a red light? I also bought a thermometer to stick inside so we can gauge the temp accurately. Any advice is appreciated. THANKS!

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Congrats!! I use a 250 watt heat lamp but clamping it to the side would definitely be too hot. Can you put the brooder where you can hang the lamp by a chain? That's what I do and I raise and lower it as needed. The red light is good because it doesn't stress them out and there's less picking. Aim for about 90 degrees; I know they say 95 but really anywhere between 85 and 95 is fine. You'll know if they are too cold; they'll huddle together under the light. Too hot and they'll stay as far away from it as they can. Just right and they'll be running all over. I like to hang mine towards one end to give them the ability to get away if it's too hot. They'll be fine - just let them guide you. Good luck!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Before they arrive, turn the light on and let it stabilize, then check the temperature. Raise or lower the lamp to adjust as required.

I agree with the other poster. That is good advise.

I do caution to never rely on the clamp. Hang the lamp with a chain or wire so the lamp does not fall. The clamp is not reliable. Fires start that way.

I never used the thermometer after the chicks arrived. I had the temperature stabilized when they arrived and then raised the lamp on a chain to reduce the heat when they told me to.

Good luck. You're going to have fun.

 

[Grey Bird Farm]

I just got 3 mail chicks last month and had a large rubbermaid bin and a 250Watt red bulb. I put wire mesh over the top and placed the light on that pointing at one end of the bin. The chicks went were they were comfortable. I ended up with 3 more older chicks and when the all slept at night you could see that based on their age they were farther from the light source.

Honestly, I'm new to this but I've been told that there is something about the red light that makes the chicks not peck at eachother as much. So the red light is more than just heat and might be important in your case.

Good Luck! I'd love to see pics of your babies when you get them

 

[Freyja]

I got my first chicks a week ago and used a regular incandescent light for the first couple days. One of the chicks picked constantly at the others. After I got the infrared light she stopped -- no more picking and the others who had started have stopped as well. I think because they don't see as well with it, the red light allows them to get onto their day/night sequence better than an incandescent light so they end up getting more rest. And if there is any blood from picking it won't be as noticeable under the red light. Not really sure how it worked, but it did. I recommend the red light!

I am using a Sterilite tub for a brooder in the living room and here in CA, a 100W infrared is plenty warm even late night/early morning.

Have fun!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I was a new chick Mom myself when I got my ten chicks back in Feb. After hanging out at this forum for a couple months before I joined and got my chicks, I was sold on the red light.

If you don't have anything to hang the light on, try a camera tripod that you can just crank up or down.

Like the poster above, secure the light my chain or backup means, so if the clamp fails - and they do - the light won't fall on something or heaven forbid into the brooder. I also put hardware cloth on top of my brooder to keep the cats, dogs, and the light or anything else falling in. The chicks will soon be flying up onto the top edge or out if you don't cover.

Good luck and show us pics when you get em.

 

[FarmerCluck]

Thanks so much for all your help. As I type this I am experimenting with my 250 watt infrared to get the height adjusted. I'll keep you posted. Hopefully we'll have chicks tomorrow. I was so bummed when they didn't come today.

 

[Chris623]

No need to be " bummed"..............this just gives you more time to make their new home perfect!

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

Quote:
As long as the temps are about 95 it will be fine, the red light is just a softer and nicer light and it does prevent picking, I wouldn't say tho that itis a necessity. Where were you able to order only 5 chicks?