Heat Lamp Bulbs

[CARS]

I have noticed that alot of the BYCers are using a red heat lamp bulb. I understand the thought and theory behind red lamps but one thing I have noticed this spring is that the only red bulbs available are 250w bulbs. Do they make them in smaller wattage?

I've been in 5 stores in the last week and they only offer the red in 250w.

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
Yes they make them in smaller wattage, but it is hard to get them locally. You need to buy them mailorder.

250W bulb is too strong and energy hog for indoor use.

I run mine through a dim switch available in any electrical department of Home depot Walmart etc.

 

[PQ4evr]

our wal-mart carries a smaller watt red bulb

 

[hikerchick]

I just bought one at Wal-Mart in the reptile section. 75W

 

[hikerchick]

Most pet stores also have a reptile section and they have smaller wattage red bulbs.

 

[KayP]

Does anyone happen to know how far to hang the 75 watt bulb from the floor to get the right temp for new chicks? That would save us lots of trial and error time.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
That's the one I got from WM, 75 watt and it's the heavy duty hardened glass kind. It also came in blue, green, and anti-bug yellow.

It was on the light bulb aisle, they also had the reptile bulbs there instead of in the pet section.

 

[patandchickens]

Are you sure you've looked in Home Depot or Walmart among the regular lightbulbs? You don't need anything specifically labelled heat lamp, any ole bulb will do just as well.

I've got red bulbs in 40w, 60w, 100w and 175w, the first two being regular lightbulb style and the latter two being floodlight style. All work perfectly fine, and I had ZERO trouble finding them (admittedly, in Canada, but hard to imagine US stores would be so different)

Good luck,

Pat

 

[aidenbaby]

Can LED's or CFL's be used? I feel like a big goof. I'm currently using a 250W bulb in the coop 3' by 3' BUT the coop door is open. I'm running over to Lowes as soon as my daycare kids parents come get them. I broke my 125 bulb when I moved the lamp outside (go figure).

 

[Tala]

Quote:
LED and CFL bulbs don't put out very much heat.

Since you want the bulb for heat, rather than light, I wouldn't put money into a spendy bulb that doesn't heat very well.