Heat lamp help!

[ChickChickHorray]

Hi all! Newbie chicken keeper here, we’re picking up our very first chicks tomorrow morning at the post and are so excited, but we’ve been having problems with our heat lamp. We have the light hanging down over the brooder like a few other posts had suggested (and secured it with a chain just in case) but can’t seem to get the temp at 90/95. No matter the height we’re consistently getting 100 to 105 degrees, is that too hot or will that be ok for the first week? We have the heat source only on one end so that if they get too warm they can move to the other side. The opposite end seems to be about 70/75 degrees. The lamp is hanging about 30 to 36 inches away. Thoughts?

 

[The Phantom]

I use just a 100 watt light bulb. It works much better

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Can you post a picture of your brooder or tell us about it? Often it is the structure of the brooder or the size of the brooder set makes getting anything but broiling hot temperatures in possible. Generally to lower the temperature in the brooder you raise the heat lamp so it may be necessary to raise the lamp higher than you have it as it is. Using a lower wattage bulb will also help.
Alternatively ditch the heat lamp and use a momma heat pad or brooder plate and you don't have to worry about it

 

[kklowell]

Had I not been given a fresh-from-the-store heat lamp setup, I would have gone with the mama heating pad, which sounds like the perfect solution to your problem. If you can't make one due to time or distance, I think you should raise that lamp up more.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Go buy one of these from Wal-Mart.
You can adjust the light to get temp you need. It will work for lowering yours and then when need to lower over time for them it is easier then trying to adjust the height.

 

[kklowell]

Go buy one of these from Wal-Mart.
You can adjust the light to get temp you need. It will work for lowering yours and then when need to lower over time for them it is easier then trying to adjust the height.
View attachment 1332182

Do you have a brand name or stock number to make that easy to find?

 

[The Moonshiner]

No
I think I actually got mine from home depot but I've seen them other places.
I've been using the same ones for years now so don't recall exact brand.
Google dimmer cord I'm sure you'll find what you need

 

[kklowell]

That's all I needed to do, thanks! Quite inexpensive too, $12!

 

[The Moonshiner]

Its worth it to not hassle with moving the lamp.
Secure it tight and every week or whenever you need to lower temp you just slide it a smidge.
Also you're cutting the wattage so saves money compared to raising it and still using complete wattage.
I use them on 250 and 125 watt bulbs but honestly never checked to see if they should be used with that high a wattage of bulbs.
I've not had issue and have been using them for 10 years probably.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I just bought one, labeled for up to 250. Looks like pic above.