Help making my brooder...

[Amyh]

I am getting my first baby chicks tomorrow! So exciting!

I have a spot light that I know I will need to put a 100watt bulb in on one side of the box I will be using. I know to decrease the heat every week, but how do I do that? What wattage lightbulb do I switch to?

Also, I plan to tarp the bottom of the box, but would like to put shavings over the tarp. What type of shavings do I use?

TIA!

 

[Schwartzfarmnc]

Congrats on your new chickies

Just an idea on the setting the heat that I ended up doing is purchasing a dimmer switch from Lowes Hardware made to plug your lamp into and I use it to gain the correct temps and I have an infrared reptile bulb that is red 85 watt and it get's plenty hot, but you can use the dimmer switch to lower the heat it produces.

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
You can just raise the light up alittle to decrease temp.
I like using pine shavings the best but play sand will work well too. good luck and have fun. Will

 

[Amyh]

Quote:
You can just raise the light up alittle to decrease temp.
I like using pine shavings the best but play sand will work well too. good luck and have fun. Will

Awesome idea! We have playsand already, so I won't have to buy anything except a small feeder and waterer!! Thanks!