Heat lamp is so hot!!!!

[Stephanie739]

It's July. Short of living on a mountain top or within shouting distance of the Arctic circle no one in the northern hemisphere should be needing to use a 250 watt bulb for only a handful of chicks.
There is no set wattage to use for brooding. It all depends on your local ambient temperature, how many chicks you are brooding, the size of their brooder, and the nature of the airflow within it.
Go by the behavior of the chicks to determine if they are too hot or cold. They'll tell you what you need to know.
This is what you are looking for:

Chances are a 100w bulb or even smaller will get the job done for you. You'll soon figure it out.

Do you have any more info or understanding about draught?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Draught = draft.

If there are any drafts (as in a chill blowing through). That particular graphic came from a Canadian extension service document which is why they use the British spelling.

 

[Stephanie739]

Oh. Okay. Hmm...I had 2 babies die today, but I think I'm still leaning towards an issue with bacteria. These were my first chickens to die from something other than a predator or dog. The room they are in is hot, but I guess when I open the outside door they might catch a draft. They do huddle the way the picture shows, but I don't have many in there..only 7 at this point so I didn't think much of them sticking close to one another. I will however be more careful and make sure the door isn't ever left open. Thanks for that picture! Its very informative!!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

If its hot in the room that can be a huge problem. It would be good to have a thermometer in the room and under the light so you can adjust as needed.

 

[Stephanie739]

If its hot in the room that can be a huge problem. It would be good to have a thermometer in the room and under the light so you can adjust as needed.

okay