Infrared heat lamp?

[ladyalia]

So last year when I bought chicks I bought a regular clear heat lamp because I couldn't find a red one. This year I found a red one...YIPEE!! Whelp, I get it home, put it in, get the chicks warmed up and look at the box and it's an infrared red heat lamp. Sooooo, my question is, what's the difference (if any) between an infrared bulb and a red bulb? Thanks guys!

 

[webgranny77]

I bought an infra-red bulb too.. mine says on the box "for brooding poultry" plus some other uses listed. I think we're good. Hope this helps.

 

[stake]

For all practical purposes, none....infrared bulb is what you want to use,,,,the color hides if chicks peck each other and draw blood...good luck

 

[Fred's Hens]

Big fan of the red bulbs for quieting the chicks.

However, around here, the red bulbs are typically 250watt only. Those can really spin your electric meter and produce a very warm hot spot if mounted low. I wish I could find 125 watt, infrared bulbs, but I've had no luck.

 

[debid]

Fred, http://localfarmsupply.com/product_info.php?products_id=2785&osCsid=345fb3b348e90e2c7c0645f15ca8390b

100 and 175 red, hard glass brooder bulbs.

 

[debid]

So last year when I bought chicks I bought a regular clear heat lamp because I couldn't find a red one. This year I found a red one...YIPEE!! Whelp, I get it home, put it in, get the chicks warmed up and look at the box and it's an infrared red heat lamp. Sooooo, my question is, what's the difference (if any) between an infrared bulb and a red bulb? Thanks guys!

As long wait doesn't say "shatterproof", it should be fine. Infrared is good, Teflon coatings are bad.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Fred, http://localfarmsupply.com/product_info.php?products_id=2785&osCsid=345fb3b348e90e2c7c0645f15ca8390b

100 and 175 red, hard glass brooder bulbs.

Thanks!!! Yup, those are what I'm looking for locally. Thanks so much for the link.

But, YIKES!!! price plus shipping. LOL

 

[ladyalia]

Thanks for all the responses. The bulb I bought was 250 watt, but it doesn't seem very warm at all. I have it hanging about 2 foot above the chicks and I put my hand down there and it just doesn't seem warm enough at all! A 60 watt trouble light puts out more heat! So I didn't know if it had to do with it being infrared.

Also, it is the kind that says "shatterproof" and when I plugged it in it STUNK! However, after about 20 minutes it quit stinking. There's no smell coming off it now. To me it smelt like......uhh.....oh, when your furnace starts for the first time in the fall...that musty, burning dust smell. YUK!

 

[Fred's Hens]

You can lay a thermometer down, on the litter, just to get a reading. The first week, 90 and then less with each passing week.

However, the VERY BEST gauge is the chicks themselves, flat out. If they huddle and chirp a lot, they are cold. If they stand with wings out and look to be panting, they are being fried and that is dangerous. All brooders should be large enough to allow the chicks to self regulate by moving into the hot spot if they want warmth and away from the hot spot if they wish to cool off.

Enjoy your chicks.

 

[ladyalia]

You're so right. I have them in a very large tote, the bulb is on one end and the other end is cool. It helps that they're in a cool part of the house. They look great! They're not huddled together but not panting with wings out. They just kinda lay where ever they wanna.
I love my chickies!!!