Is a 100 watt everyday household light okay to use?

[debid]

I'd put the lower wattage bulb back in and drop the fixture down to ~18" above the brooder floor. That will help concentrate the heat. And yes, a much larger box. Even though you only have a few chicks, they'll be racing around and flapping up and out of the banana box in no time.

 

[cubalaya]

Watch for picking no matter what.

Some folks get the wrong idea when they see warnings like this. White light doesn't cause picking. Red light doesn't prevent it. There might be a slight calming effect from less glare but I've seen ample evidence that red light does not inhibit their ability to see blood nor is it somehow invisible light -- both claims I've seen made on this board.

works for me and has for over 30 years.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I only use household bulbs, actually had to buy incandescent as our house uses energy efficient bulbs that don't put out much heat. Never had a problem with white light and brood in large tote with screen on top.

 

[debid]

works for me and has for over 30 years.

Red light works for me as well but it doesn't mean that I'd be having problems if I used white light. I'd much rather folks with small numbers of chicks NOT buy a 250W red bulb and roast those little peeps because they thought red was so important that they ignored other things like that they only have three chicks in a small space. It happens far too often.

 

[cubalaya]

true