Chicks Pecking at Each Other Something Awful

[Wild Chicken]

What are heat emitters? And where do you get them?

My chicks were doing the same thing and stopped when I switched to a red bulb.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

what they are is, heat lamps for reptiles, they are pricey but are supposed to last up to 5 yrs, and are a lot harder the break, most pet stores that carry reptiles has them but they are less pricey on the internet. i went from a 250 watt red light to a 150 watt heat emitter, my 4 are 2 yrs old and still going strong,

 

[ChookHappy]

Figured I would mention that I went to buy a Zoo Meds heat element today and got home and then found out to my demise that you need to have their special hood to have it work right. Any ceramic clamp lamp would work I suppose but my cheap one is made out of plastic of course lol. I've had them under a regular brooder heat lamp and I think it's driving them nuts. They get no down time without the light after being in the somewhat dark brooder at the feed store. I think I would get a bit snappy too. First thing in the morning I'm off to return the $40 heat element in exchange for a red light and be done with it. If we end up brooding more often I'll consider the heat element. I sure do wish we kept all our reptile stuff when we move out of state...

 

[steelersfan43]

Quote:
Sometimes, it's just that one breed looks more 'interesting.' I had rhode island reds, barred rocks, and buff orps, and the buffs got it every time. None of the others was ever pecked until they were 11 or 12 weeks old. The blue kote makes them look a little like parrots for a while, but it protects their health, and that's the main thing. Oh, and it'll get all over your hands, so you might want to wear gloves.

we had the same thing happen with our buff orps. they were the ones bullied by the other chickens. The blood really does make a difference. The chicks see red and even the ones not pecking will be drawn to the color. Getting the bleeding ones away asap is really important so they dont get hurt worse. We used the stop bleed powder to cover it up on a couple and this helped with the ones that couldnt be separated right away. Wonder if it was the color was covered up or the taste bad? Anyway, good luck with your chicks. Sometimes its best (when possible) to keep different breeds apart.

 

[steelersfan43]

Quote:
I like the red bulbs the best. They also seem calming I guess to a certain extent and are much better esp at night since the light isnt as harsh as some of the bulbs out there.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

Quote:
no you do not need their hood, you just need a lamp base with a ceramic base, which most heat lamp hood/base have, nothing special needed

 

[ChookHappy]

Quote:
no you do not need their hood, you just need a lamp base with a ceramic base, which most heat lamp hood/base have, nothing special needed

Yea, I figured as much and to my delight the brooder lamp I have in the coop for additional winter lighting is a ceramic type. Although we might only have one more small batch of fuzzy butts coming up soon this year so I think I'm going to return it still and save the extra cash. I know as of so far I like brooding (it is a bit nerve wrecking though) but the space we have in the backyard is limited so I can't go too much farther without consulting the farm owner about moving the boundary. We are trying to get an additional chunk of land near the house to have a dairy goat project and of course more chickens. We have only been here 7 months and we have already been "running out of space".

 

[Chic Chick]

I use a red gel called STOP PICK which contains juniper tar, cayenne pepper and aloe in a petroleum base, so I would guess in an emergency you could use vaseline with some hot pepper and aloe mixed in to keep them from pecking. I've also heard of using Vicks.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

its messy but pine tar for hourses works