How many watts?

[claudicles]

Thank you all. Sorry I haven't replied earlier. Different time zone - I have been asleep.

I got a reptile heating bulb, one of the red ones. Second heating test going on now and it still doesn't seem enough. I think I'll just have to lower it as it is above the crate atm. The crate is quite tall. It was for one of my labradors and I stopped using it because it was too large. If I can't get it warm enough I may add a second small bulb which I think will make it easier to lower the temp when I don't need it that hot. I'll also add more cardboard around the crate.

My coop is about the right size for 4-6 chickens I think. It was advertised for more but checking the numbers on here I don't think so. We don't have very cold winters so I don't have to allow for that. We get some frosts but never snow. I am also planning for a yard somewhat enclosed that they can roam when I am here. I don't want them to free range as I live on 2.5 acres with three labradors. One is a tad mischievious. The cats have him in check but I am not sure how chickens will fare. I also have a large garden which I want to stay in some sort of order. There are tons of foxes about too.

Thanks again.

Liz

 

[TheSitcomGirls]

I think my crate is the same size as yours. I have two 100 watt bulbs and the peeps are happy. My house is about 65. I think you can have as many chickens as you have space for. Not enough space and they will fight. I have 8 chickens in a 6 by 6 coop at night, free range during the day in a big area. I also have three different feeding stations. Everybody gets along just fine if they don't have to compete for resources! Here's my crate brooder:

 

[claudicles]

Thanks Thesitcomgirls

Yes, my crate is just like yours. I had the lamp above it though. I have put it inside and I am doing better with the temperature now. Who ever thought it would be so tricky to get right?

 

[jimz1]

I'm a newbie also with 16 chicks just over 1 week old and T have mine in a cardboard box. I've got a 250 watt red heat lamp for them. I would keep the temp around 90 to 95 the first couple days and they were huddling in a corner where there was less heat. Since then, the temp has been lowered to 80 to 85 and they seem to like it a lot better.

 

[debid]

Quote:
Yeah, unless it's a refrigerator box, 250W is a lot of heat! You probably would have had an easier time with a lower wattage.

It's been really hard getting the temperature in range with a smallish box setup. One thing I also did was to take the temperature directly under the light and then (changing nothing else) move the thermometer to the area away from the light to see how much difference there was between that area and the ambient temperature. They need to be able to get away from the heat just as much as they need to be able to get into the heat. I was pleasantly surprised that the far end of the box was only 2 degrees warmer than the outside air.