Don't cook your peeps!

[TheSitcomGirls]

Hubbys are good for some things!!!

I left my light on 24/7 when they lived in the house.....I didn't know any better. The peeps didn't seem to mind. When they went outside into their coop I put their light out there for them (changed to a 40 watt bulb). After a while it seemed ridiculous so I turned the light off after dark. They all freaked out and two of them fell of the perch! So I bought them an LED night light....spoiled! This year my new peeps will learn not to be afraid of the dark earlier!

 

[OkChickens]

Quote:
Yes heat lamp should and needs to be on 24/7 for 3-5 weeks and I use a red 250 w heat lamp bulb a they work great! I have 42 chicks and they are 3 weeks old and my heat lamp is about 3 ft high and the brooder is in my shop building and they are doing great!

Nate

 

[TrystInn]

Another strong recommendation for using infrared heat lamps and not white lights. The infrared heat lamp directs diffused heat, the red color allows the chicks to sleep and reduces stress.

 

[hallerlake]

Fred's Hens :

With such small brooder boxes common here, the chicks cannot self regulate by moving away. The plastic tubs are OK, but goodness, they tend to trap the heat. You post is timely, especially this time of year. I sure wish newbies would consider larger brooders so the chicks have room to exercise.

I'm planning on using a dog crate like the set shown in the OP's first post.​

 

[hallerlake]

Quote:
Sleep is good.

 

[TrystInn]

Quote:
That's not a dog crate. Its a small critter cage for rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. They do make good brooders because they: a) lift the light a foot or more above the floor of the brooder and b) provide good ventilation.

Also, its shown properly shining into a specific area, providing areas for the chicks to go to get out of the direct heat.

 

[lynnolekas]

I realized that I needed to edit my post...a two year old can really stop the flow of a single
continuous thought! I feel really pretty good about the ceramic heater, low wattage bulb
combo here. I think that sometimes it is hard to grab onto a new idea (ie: the girl at the
hatchery) until you've seen it yourself and perhaps she was just unfamiliar with the ceramic
units.

Yay!

Lynn

 

[amylou22]

Thank you for this thread! I am bringing home my first chicks tomorrow and I was sold a 250 watt bulb today. And it is in the 70's and 80's here. THANK YOU!!!

 

[keds45]

For the past 2 years (my only 2 years) I've used a 100 watt reptile " nite-light" and an old guinea pig cage. Things I had from our other pets. It's worked great so far, and been realty cost effective.

 

[elmo]

Great advice! Set up your brooder and do a dry run before the chicks arrive so you can fiddle with the setup to get it right. It took me a full day of tinkering to get my setup to work properly. But then the next year, I let the hens take care of the job...so much easier!