How much heat?

[mochicken]

I got 10 chicks today, not really sure of their age but they are still small lil fluff balls lol.

They were under a heat light in the store but it was about 2 1/2 feet above them and didnt seem like it was too warm to me, not sure what bulb it was.

I built them a "brooder" today as I did not have one already, it is 26" long, 24" wide, and 13" deep with a top that has a 16x13 opening covered in chicken wire that the heat light fixture is resting on.

I forgot to pick up a red heat light today so am trying to get by for tonight until I can pick one up tomorrow, what is the correct wattage bulb to use? I have 40's 60's 75's and 100's. I know they like to be warm but I didnt want to be too hot for them or God forbid start a fire overnight, they are in our dining room.

 

[GiddyMoon]

You don't state how cold your house gets. We get in the low 60s..I use a 60 watt amber bulb about a foot off of them and it has been working great

 

[mochicken]

Yeah sorry, no AC here tonight so it will probably only get to 70 at the coolest, probably more like 74-76, we are running fans in our bedroom but just still air in the dining room where the chicks are.

I have a thermometer in there now to check the temps and at the side about 12" away from direct light it is 82 degrees