How Many Watts?

[enggass]

Will have my chicks in the basement @50-60 degrees. My brooder is 2' deep with a screened top to keep my kids out.
So, at a minimum distance of 2', what Watt Bulb do you think I should get/need?
I plan on getting one with a dimmer... Would 150Watt suffice? Also thinking I'll get the Infrared.
Newbie says thanks,
Steve

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

a 250 red is a good choice if you have a dimmer, you will have a wider choice/range of temp.

 

[felidaet]

You may have to cover part or most of the screened lid with wood or a blanket for the first couple of weeks or so to hold in the heat. There are a lot a variables that can affect the temperature such as size of brooder, material it is made of, if there are drafts in the room, etc. Last year I used a metal tub for a brooder. It was very difficult to control the temperature. I had to use two 250 watt red heat lamps the first three weeks last year. I built a much larger brooder from wood this year and found it is much easier to heat and keep at a constant temperature. I am using one 250 watt red heat lamp this year.

 

[enggass]

Where then can I find both a 250W Bulb, and a Lamp that is qualified to hold that wattage?
Best I can find is 200W Qualified Lamp:
http://www.futurepets.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=ZMLF13&LARGEVIEW=ON

but they no longer sell the 250W bulbs... 'DISCONTINUED'
Steve

 

[omelet du fromage]

I bought mine at Tractor Supply Company for $8.

 

[Penturner]

Quote:
I got one at wal mart that is rated up to 600 watts. no bulb though. The local feed store (Not TSC) had a lamp and bulb set for $20.00 I think by the time I got a 65 watt flood light wal mart saved me about $3.00. I would have put it back except I already expect to need a second light anyway. I will just go to the feed store for that one. $8.00 for the lamp is a good price.

 

[robk0220]

TSC here (and I don't know about all of them) have a 2 pack red 250 watt bulbs for $8.99. also they have the brooder fixture for around $9.00 each... Just make sure you get a fixture with a porcelain socket.

 

[fastpat]

The Tractor Supply brooder light fixture is rated for 300 watts, so it will take a 250 with no problem. The good thing is that the light fixture is designed (more or less) for brooder use. It has both the clamp and a hanger on it and has a guard to keep it from setting things on fire which it might if it got too close to wood or paper.

 

[enggass]

Anyone know where I could get one of these online?

 

[fastpat]

Quote:
Tractor Supply sells online.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/livest...quipment/brooder-reflector-with-clamp-3208291