heat lamp/bulb question

[jamie78]

I am debating on heating my coop this winter. If I choose to do it, I would have the lamp on a thermocube (thermostat) outlet. I've found incandescant bulbs that produce heat but not light, but I'm not sure I would want to use a 250 watt bulb. I'd rather go with 100 or 150. Can I use one of the lower wattage bulbs in the brooder lamp I bought when my chickens were peeps? It's a 250 watt lamp. Can't seem to find an answer searching on google..... thanks

Jamie

 

[Luvducks]

I use the Ceramic Heat Emitters that Reptile people use. My chicks eat and play all day and no light so they get on Big Chicken schedule at an early age.

I guess these could also work on a temperature control. I do not know technicalities. They come in different wattages.

 

[Luvducks]

Oh, I do use a lower wattage in my Brooder Lamp. 250 is way to much for my small brooder. So yes you can use lower. just do not use higher wattage.

 

[jamie78]

Thanks, I wanted to be sure before I purchased any bulbs. The ones I'm looking at are the same thing you use then, the "reptile" bulbs.

Guess this is what I'll go with then, just trying to make a final decision on whether or not to heat. I live in western PA, and it can hit below zero on occasion and is often in the teens. This is my first winter with chickens and my son and I would be devastated to find frozen chickens in the coop!

We have four hens... one silkie, one leghorn, and two RIRs. They are definitely pets, we love them to pieces!