Holy Crap! My brooder lamp exploded!!!

[TNBarnQueen]

OK.....just unplugged the 250W red bulb I was using for my 3 week old chicks. We keep our house at 70 degrees and the chicks are in a lg tall rubbermaid container. Do you think they will stay warm enough for the night. I got up to 78 inside today but we are still technically in winter mode here in East TN. I have always used this type of bulb with no problems. I wonder if a small power surge could cause some of the bulbs to blow up?? At what age will my chicks be stay warm enough without a heat source. I have thought with their age to go to a 100 watt regular bulb since the reasoning for a red bulb is to keep the little fuzzies from pecking each others eyes out!

 

[Luvducks]

Quote:
I use regular bulbs in the house,.100 Watt will be fine. ESPECIALLY with a Rubber maid Container! It can MELT! You are scaring me! Ha ha! Put a thermometer inthere to check temps.

 

[backyardcovey]

Picked up a red bulb today 250 W. Can not seem to get a distance away to get temp down to 95 degrees.

So googled dimmer brooder box and came here. Glad BYCs have already done it. Thanks for the thread.

 

[GardenGal]

Boy, I'm so glad to know about those ceramic heaters. Definitely heading to the pet store first thing in the morning.

 

[gale65]

Just ordered a ceramic heater to be delivered on Friday. Thank goodness for amazon prime! I may be able to find one locally but odds are not good around here. Hopefully tomorrow night won't be cold enough for them to need heat. Tonight definitely won't be.

 

[srvchickgal]

Def going to check out dimmer options, as they grow it will be harder to get an optimum temp for out ladies, great tips! Scary about the bulb thing, I am using a 250 watt now (red)


Ranae and Pete Dallas Pa 15 baby Barred Rocks

 

[flnatv]

Quote:
I have bearded dragons and quit using the repti bulbs because of the same thing....



To the OP... I just used a regular bulb when I quit using the high wattage bulbs...

 

[featherz]

I use an ecoglow. NO exploding lamp, no fire, etc. Pricey but worth it!

 

[CupOJoe42]

That's one of the reasons that I decided to go with the Brinsea EcoGlow20 Chick Brooder. There is no light, uses much less electricity, and because of the radiant heat, it is safe to use - no fire hazard. The chicks can touch it without getting burned.

 

[Aemelia]

Yikes we had a bulb break but it was because a cat unsettled the light when we had it sitting unbalanced on a table.

I've had a snake forever it seems 7 years I think and none of our lights have done that. I used a red reptile light that we just bought for our chicks thank goodness it didn't break.