Does a brooder have to have red light

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Ive used : red bulb (was cheaper in the pack we were getting at time)

CHE: ceramic heat emitter with correct lamp housing(ceramic base)

Fluorescent bulb: hard to come by, except in reptile section. My Mammaw swore by these, one hanging over brooder is what they used to use to broody 100 chicks

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@BigBlueHen53 so you use disposable dog training pads for yours? Have you had any trouble with it? I know better than to use newspaper, and was going to use aspen shavings. The same person who told me it's required to have a red light also told me I can't use puppy pads, as the chicken's toes can get caught. It was originally what I was going to do to.

Nope! Have had no problems. It gives them good traction for their feet, unlike newspaper, which can get wet and slick. And their toes don't get caught in it, I guess because we change it every evening. I suppose if we didn't, it might start to shred.....

Thanks all for weighing in. Amazing how much a small bit of unsolicited 'advice' can make us question everything.

True that! Just do what makes sense to you and if you have any questions or problems, come here and ask questions. Chances are someone else will have had a similar experience and have a suggestion to share.

I'll proceed with what I have (The CHE) for heat and get a red bulb if I see any injuries. They'll be near a window (no direct light though) so should not need a light source during the day.

You'll be fine.

 

[krthaymp]

I use puppy pads and dont have a problem until they start to peck them which is a bit after 2 weeks.

Perfect! That was my original plan, and I think I'll go back to that. I feel it's easier to keep things nice and clean for the babies and monitor for pasty butt, etc.

 

[krthaymp]

CHE: ceramic heat emitter with correct lamp housing(ceramic base)

This is what I have - it was used for a beaded dragon. He passed away a ripe old age, but I still have a lot of his things, and am trying to make use of what I already have on hand with this and thought it would be perfect! And I have a thermometer so I can make sure it's the right distance away for the perfect amount of heat.

@BigBlueHen53 thanks for the encouragement! I'm so glad I found this forum.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

This is what I have - it was used for a beaded dragon. He passed away a ripe old age, but I still have a lot of his things, and am trying to make use of what I already have on hand with this and thought it would be perfect! And I have a thermometer so I can make sure it's the right distance away for the perfect amount of heat.

We had a lot of spare supplies from our leopard geckos so I was comfortable using the CHE. The fluorescent bulb, when we found one, worked great for our broody hen and her hatchlings for first couple weeks-- they were outside mid winter lol crazy mama lol

ETA: we have since bought a broody plate, I forgot about it having only used it once and it was nice

 

[BigBlueHen53]

thanks for the encouragement! I'm so glad I found this forum.

You're very welcome, glad to help. We keep chicks in the house for three weeks before moving them to an outdoor brooder, and we don't have a problem with dust that a lot of others complain about. So much cleaner and easier than wood chips, sawdust or any other bedding we've found.

 

[nuthatched]

@BigBlueHen53 so you use disposable dog training pads for yours? Have you had any trouble with it? I know better than to use newspaper, and was going to use aspen shavings. The same person who told me it's required to have a red light also told me I can't use puppy pads, as the chicken's toes can get caught. It was originally what I was going to do

I also use puppy pads for the first two weeks, then they go in the outside coop brooder with pine shavings