Holy Heat Lamp Batman!

[Cetawin]

Did you say a metal brooder? If the sides are metal, it is going to get way too hot in there for them. You will have to suspend the heat lamp above the brooder...at least 6"....with the metal I would start it at a foot above the top of the brooder.

I raise and lower mine as needed....it works great that way.

 

[Beekissed]

Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies :

I use a 100 Watt yellow bug light.. Looks like a normal light bulb only yellow

Its easier on the eyes and won't atract bugs.

I'm glad you mentioned that bug light, Fluf, as I was planning on using the same thing when I get my first chicks. Does it generate the same amount of heat as a regular bulb? By the time I get the chicks they won't need too much warmth but it will still get too chilly for biddies at night around here. I also was wondering about bedding....I see most folks are using wood shavings but I was wondering about straw. Is there anything wrong with straw as long as it isn't fine cut?​

 

[Moonwalker]

You can get a rheostat at any pet shop that has a fairly good reptile department. They range from a manual "dimmer" switch to a programmable power strip type for multiple lights. (I LOVE those!) You can set them to go on and off at certain temps, just like the thermostat on your heater/aircon.

This is one I use for my reptiles and other animals to make sure lights come on and off at the proper times in case I have to work late, or want to sleep in!

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.a...d&cm_pla=instk&cm_ite=product&CMReferringUrl=

and this:
Yhttp://www.herpsupplies.com/product.cfm?id=SZMRT500R

Here are some other cool goodies that work great for chickens too
http://www.herpsupplies.com/subcategory.cfm?id=3&sub=48

See? Snakes ARE good for something!

 

[gumpsgirl]

I use the 250W bulb and lamp as well. We just kept raising our lamp up until we got correct temp. You might also need to take into consideration that you are using a metal brooder which will help conduct/trap the heat. Get your heat lamp up higher! See if that helps and don't panic! At least you figured this out BEFORE your chicks arrived!

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Okay, I now love the reptile aisle! I found an adjustable heat lamp that takes a 150w bulb. The dimmer is built right in. Wish I'd found that before buying the two 250w bulbs and the brooder lamp.

I haven't done a test run yet, but the ability to adjust has to help!

Thanks for the advice all. Perhaps I won't burn the house down after all.

 

[speckledhen]

Yeah, aren't those reptile gadgets cool? A customer who bought some pullets from me actually brought me a 150 watt ultraviolet reptile heat bulb for my brooder lamp that I'd never seen before and it was perfect for my outside nursery coop as the second back up lamp. And yes, please don't burn the house down.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I think this one is unfrared heat lamp. Will the ultraviolet ones work too? Do they give out heat? Ultraviolet makes my eyes cross. Does it screw with the chickens' little heads at all? Hate to send my new babies on a little chicken acid trip!

 

[speckledhen]

Did I say the wrong word? No, that's right, you're thinking of a black light! LOL. Wow, back to the 60's with you!

Uh, oh, I'm having a flashback....

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

OH, MY EYES!!! I'm getting a mental image of all those flourescent Easter chicks under a blacklight.
Ow, Ow, Ow...

 

[speckledhen]

OMGosh, I have a black light in the bsmt somewhere. Wonder how it would affect the chickens if I put it in the coop....nah, better not chance it. They'd be laying psychedelic eggs, LOL!