heat lamps

[Theo]

I used a 150 watt red bulb (not a heat lamp) in a reflector and it worked fine. Temps in my house are 65-70 degrees. If you have higher indoor temps, a 100 watt bulb would probably suffice. Once you get your light installed, if you see the chicks panting or hanging out in the corners of your brooder, raise the lamp 6 inches or a foot to decrease the temperature. If they are clustered right under the lamp, lower it to increase heat in the brooder, or increase your wattage.

Red light is supposed to be easier on chicks' eyes and nervous system. Supposedly it keeps them from developing neurotic habits, like pecking each other to death. True? False? Dunno. Red worked for me and I will use it again. I know of people using ordinary light bulbs with success.

 

[Steergirl]

Woops double posted!

Read post below

 

[andalusn]

Temps here in the PNW have been iffy at best with the crazy weather. When the chicks hatched in the incubator I had in the kitchen I went a head and left the new peeps in the house and my temps are about 72. Went to Home Depot and purchased a clamp on grow light and blue/white bulb and clamped that over the top of my clear plastic tote "brooder" they lived in that for the first week and temps were perfect. From there I switched them to their outside in the barn brooder box that only has a Brinsea EcoGlo unit. They loved it. I now have two of these and even though its more money up front if your going to have peeps every spring or hatch your own its a great way to go and no read glow as I look to my barn at night

 

[Steergirl]

I live in TX like you and I use a 75 watt infrared bulb that I get from the reptile section in my local PetSmart. It keeps them warm enough and cool enough.

 

[GiddyMoon]

Thank you folks for the info..common sense I guess..I bought the red bulb just in case, but I have others on hand. I knew better than to go digging for tons of info..so much of it is preference I am finding..not always set in stone. lol

 

[Tikkijane]

Quote:
Ok, I'm in the south, too, and in the same boat. We've had temps near 100 during the day already, although we are generally at least 75 or better during the day now. Nighttime is, of course, a whole 'nother story. I am planning on getting mine on Friday- EEs, a few buff orpintongs and then prolly one barred rock. I am also worried more about cooking them during the day.

So, it's my preference of light color and I don't want to have anything higher than a 150? I assume I need to have the brooder lamp?

Thanks all!

 

[TN_BIRD]

I'd also recommend that you make the brooder large enough so the chicks can move to spot they feel most comfortable (temperature wise).

 

[JustAChickenLittle&More]

And keep an extra bulb on hand, I'm up early this morning, very early, cause I noticed the light was out and I've got babies! Their in the house, but I still got worried so I plucked a lightbulb from someone else.

 

[zekii]

Just have my 1st chicks in the brooder, they are getting big, I asked this same question.
I ended up buying 100, 60, 40 watt light bulbs, plus I had a ceramic reptile emitter.
I monitored the chicks behavior too determine how much heat they needed, and both brooders now just have a 40 watt bulb at 20 inches high, and they don't bunch up under the bulb, and my house temps are in the 60's
From what I've read too much heat can be more of a problem than not enough.

 

[GiddyMoon]

I have plenty of bulbs and we hit alot of garage sales so I already have a couple of clip on lamps for our tortoises..I need to stop reading so I can get all this info out of my head. lol