I have no idea what I am doing

[SueT]

I used a 75 watt reptile bulb (ceramic heat emitter) for 2 batches of chicks. I put it in a clamp light fixture (for a heat lamp) and it had to be pretty low to keep temp about 90, such as 5 or 6 inches above the chicks at first. I raised it little by little as they grew and needed less heat. But the incandescent bulbs work too. I found that the incandescent bulbs did keep it a little warmer.

 

[biophiliac]

I strongly suggest you use a heating pad instead of the lamp. I would go ahead and get one without auto shut off. a) it will feel more cuddly to the ling b) natural day/night light cycle. c)less concern about overheating/fire risk. The Mama Heating Pad brooder is very easy to make. I got my heat pad a Wallgreens for 20 -30 dls. Very easy to make with materials usually on hand!

Previously sent you a link to @Blooie 's Thread on this.

 

[chickens really]

That might work?...Ducklings need to be able to get out of the heat or under it if they need too..Having it consistent at 90 in the entire Brooder will be too warm....

 

[Steven Mazzo]

That might work?...Ducklings need to be able to get out of the heat or under it if they need too..Having it consistent at 90 in the entire Brooder will be too warm....

Its at 91 directly under the light which is pointed towards the corner where i have a small furry bed set up. If that is too hot i can put the light more towards the center of the tank this way either side will be cooler

 

[Steven Mazzo]

I strongly suggest you use a heating pad instead of the lamp. I would go ahead and get one without auto shut off. a) it will feel more cuddly to the ling b) natural day/night light cycle. c)less concern about overheating/fire risk. The Mama Heating Pad brooder is very easy to make. I got my heat pad a Wallgreens for 20 -30 dls. Very easy to make with materials usually on hand!

Previously sent you a link to @Blooie 's Thread on this.

is your heating pad inside the brooder or under it and is it just at the one end?

 

[chickens really]

The best thing to do is wait for the Duckling and then watch what it does...If it loves the heat it will cuddle there..If it's too warm he will move to a cooler spot.....

 

[Miss Lydia]

Don't let it get any higher ducklings don't need high heat like chicks. so 90 is fine to start and always put heat at one end of the brooder so the lil one can get out from under the heat if he gets too warm. Have you had a chance to read the link I gave on caring for ducklings? it talks about start temps and going down 5* each week there after. Only problem with white light is it can disrupt sleeping. I am using a reptile heating bulb but I have the lamp part too. But I am waiting on chicks one nice thing about the clamp on lamps is you can move the lamp up or down to get right temps.

 

[Steven Mazzo]

Don't let it get any higher ducklings don't need high heat like chicks. so 90 is fine to start and always put heat at one end of the brooder so the lil one can get out from under the heat if he gets too warm. Have you had a chance to read the link I gave on caring for ducklings? it talks about start temps and going down 5* each week there after. Only problem with white light is it can disrupt sleeping. I am using a reptile heating bulb but I have the lamp part too. But I am waiting on chicks one nice thing about the clamp on lamps is you can move the lamp up or down to get right temps.

Yes thank you I did read that. The light I have is a clamp as well or you can rest it on top of the screen.

 

[biophiliac]

I have a problem, the guy in the pet store sold me a heat lamp and a 100W reptile basking bulb. First problem is the fixture says 75 watt max which i didnt see until this morning and the temperature in the tank was 105 degrees. I just switched the bulb to a regular bulb that I use in my kitchen high hat lighting and it is 65 watts. Im going to have to give it a while to see where the temperature ends up. Any suggestions? The light I purchased sits on top of a metal screen which is on top of a 15 gallon glass fish tank so the light is about 12 inches from the floor of the tank. so far the temperature is up to 90.

even 65 watt may be too much in a small area, that's why I like the pad. The chick scoots underneath and warms itself by making contact with its back against the warm pad just like it would under momma It works completely different than a bulb. The temp reading from a thermometer under but not touching the pad is usually ~80.

 

[chickens really]

I use a red..175 watt heat lamp and brood in totes....mine clamps on and I can adjust the temp as needed...I never follow any set temp...I go by how the Ducklings are reacting inside the Brooder.....