How to heat the brooder?

[cmom]

Quote:
The ceramic bulb is a heat emitter. It actually puts out more heat than a light bulb.

Can you rig up a dimmer switch with the ceramic bulbs to regulat heat output?

I put a dimmer switch on a regular light socket with a 15 watt bulb and it works perfect. I use this now as a hatcher and a brooder.

 

[DrChickenKev]

Quote:
Can you rig up a dimmer switch with the ceramic bulbs to regulat heat output?

I put a dimmer switch on a regular light socket with a 15 watt bulb and it works perfect. I use this now as a hatcher and a brooder.
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee237/aliedaw1/IMG_2962.jpghttp://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee237/aliedaw1/IMG_3190.jpghttp://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee237/aliedaw1/Pictureb111.jpghttp://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee237/aliedaw1/IMG_3188.jpg

Yup, seen people do that before, but wondered whether it was possible to do it with a ceramic bulb or with a heat mat?

 

[silkymom1986]

I use the red heat lamp, it's not as bright as a regular light bulb and heats better, doesn't seem like it cost too much to run as I have had it running for almost a month now, and haven't seen a difference in my electric bill, and it was only $5 at Walmart.

 

[waterchicken]

hmmm... only $5? wow.

 

[kari_dawn]

Quote:
I put a dimmer switch on a regular light socket with a 15 watt bulb and it works perfect. I use this now as a hatcher and a brooder.
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee237/aliedaw1/IMG_2962.jpghttp://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee237/aliedaw1/IMG_3190.jpghttp://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee237/aliedaw1/Pictureb111.jpghttp://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee237/aliedaw1/IMG_3188.jpg

Yup, seen people do that before, but wondered whether it was possible to do it with a ceramic bulb or with a heat mat?

That I am unsure of. I use a reptile heat lamp. It already has a temp control built into it, and seems to work just fine to control the intensity of the heat from the ceramic bulb. I have it set up on an adjustable stand because I don't like the clip on heat lamps, which also means I can raise and lower the lamp, giving me further control over the amount of heat my chicks are getting.

 

[kimmypie]

Quote:
What if they are in an area of the house that gets normal light but then gets dark at night. Do they need light 100% of the time just like they need heat? I was thinking about getting the ecoglow just because of the lowered risk of a fire. I'm sure when we get chicks they will be somewhere that has lights on normally during the day.

 

[kari_dawn]

I put my chicks in an area that gets GOOD light most of the day (I tried to simulate daylight with my babies), as it got light, I would slowly increase the intensity of the light in the room. As it got dark, I slowly decreased the intensity of light. Of course, I work nights, so my babies were on a bit of a differenty "daylight" schedule than what was actually going on outside

they seem okay though. They are outside now.