heat lamps

[melinda342]

I'm getting chicks soon. i live in Texas and the part of my house where i plan on raising them is at about 80 degrees. would a 250 watt heat light bulb be to big? if so what size should i get? Also, how old should the be before i take them outside. the would come back inside at night. it generally does not get colder than 70-75 during the day.

 

[Iheartchicks<3:)]

150 watt RED heat lamp would do fine.. i use a reptile emitter. You should wait until they are fully feathered... They can have playtime out side supervised in a predator proof (predators including large chickens) area as long at its warm for a hour or two..

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes, quite likely too much heat. Even a 150 can over heat them if you don't have room in the brooder for the chicks to move to a cooler spot.
You will do just fine. Take your cues from the chicks, as they are the most reliable gauge.

 

[OkChickens]

How many chicks are you receiving? I use 2 250 watt lights at night ( 1 red and 1 white) when temps get below 50 or so. Mine are in my unheated shop. I have a 4x10 brooder and I have up to 85 in there for 2 weeks then I move them to another brooder. It just depends. Watch your chicks, they will let you know when your comfortable.

Nate

 

[hen hugger]

you probably dont need one

 

[lebentier]

150 watts should be fine. I hang mine above the brooder and adjust it up and down based on the babies' behavior.

 

[HHandbasket]

Nothing beats a Brinsea Ecoglow brooder, but they're pricier than a brooder light.

If you are in Texas & it's normally in the 80s there, I would think a 250 watt bulb would be too strong. For the first week, I keep a digital thermometer in the brooder at the chicks' level to make sure the temps stay appropriate. As others have suggested, I'd also go with the 150 and adjust the height so that the temps in the brooder stay at around 90-95° F for the first 5-7 days, then 85-90° for the next 5-7 days, then they seem to do fine at room temp after that with only occasional warming if the room temps fall.

My broody hen had her chicks out of the nest and running around in the yard at 5 days of age in 35 and 40 degree weather, so I think too much heat is more damaging than not enough, esp. this time of year as it's warming up.

Have fun and enjoy your new chicks!

 

[GiddyMoon]

I thought I posted here but now I don't see it. I am going thru the same confusion. I am in Tucson..it is 80 in my house right now..a 250 bulb would cook the chickens..I have read that a 60 watt to 100 watt bulb are fine, then I have read an article that says don't listen to those people, you NEED a heat bulb. I then see not to use white light, but amber is ok...ug

 

[love-my-wolves]

Quote:
I'm afraid all I've ever used is a 100 watt run of the mill GE bulb. I adjust it higher or lower, as the chicks need. I've raised only 6 sets of babies, but (knock on wood) I've never lost any for being too cold or too hot........ I've never used a "heat" bulb, and never used a red one either. It is truly up to you. What I do works for me. It may not work for others. But I'd never personally use anything above a 150 watt, especially if it is that warm in your house.

Good luck with your babies!!!

 

[Wildflower_VA]

Quote:
It gets more confusing than that: Depending on the breed of chicken, they might not need to have as much heat (95) or might need higher (bantams). My black Australorps are cold hardy, but I didn't think that meant as day old chicks. I made sure the brooder was 95 degrees and right away they were spreading their wings and panting. They didn't stop until I brought the temps down into the high 80's. The best you can do is watch the chicks and they will let you know if they are cold or hot.