first night using heat lamp

[kickinchicken]

I've been usine a heat lamp with a dimmer since mid December. I have bantams and one is a Sultan, these are not cold hardy! The bulb is a 250 watt red heat bulb. I have it chained and screwed into the rafters and pointing towards the roost. I also hang a fat long board about 12 inches above the roost to help keep the heat around them and not escaping out the roof ventilation. They seem so content and happy.
I turn offf the lamp in the morning. I have a window near their roost and the people door is a recycled door that has 2x2 window...facing South so lots of sun heat during the day.
These are my babies and I want them to be just as warm and comfy as my spoiled dogs!

 

[audioguy]

Agree. Make sure the base is ceramic and is rated to handle up to a 250w bulb. The bakelite base will melt.
Also make sure you attach the reflector securely. Dont depend on the clamp to hold it for long. Use a chain. It would suck to have it fall and catch the coop on fire!
I bought one at TSC for $8 with a guard. The red heat bulb was $4.

 

[enggass]

...and watch your electrical bill sore... I used a 250w Red bulb for my brooder last Spring. It was over kill - for both the birds and the wallet

This Spring I plan on using a plane old 100w for my brooder.

 

[audioguy]

You can also use a reptile thermostat and a dimmer on the 250w bulb. At least it will save a little money!!

 

[Moxiechick]

We had a forecast for -18 last night and negative numbers again for tonight, so we put the heat lamp from their brooder days in the coop. Yes, they are definitely more active! I got home a little later today than usual, and there they were, walking around the coop when it was practically dark out. Usually they start roosting as the sun starts to set. it was like walking in on kids at a sleepover that can't settle down! We only plan on running the heater when the night temps deep below zero, but I am considering running out tomorrow to buy one of these -

http://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zilla-black-night-bulb-50-watt.html

 

[True Grit]

Quote:
Oh you know what?! The same thing happened with my chickens. I had a heat emitter in the coop and then when it got really cold for several days I put the 250 watt red brooder light in the lamp and they started staying out late in the run and smoking cigarettes. I didn't relate it to the red light. Aha! I put the nice gentle 250 watt heat emitter back in. (50 watts isn't much..)

 

[Laurajean]

Quote:

 

[chickfamilyonsleepyhollow]

Thanks for all the posts

We have the heat lamp on again tonight ... if nothing else, I'll get a better night sleep knowing they're a bit warmer since its about 20 degrees under the roost vs. -2 on the other side of the coop ... brrrrrr