Is a 100 watt everyday household light okay to use?

[Hdubya]

Hey everyone! I am new to raising chickens so bare with me. I got 3 chicks yesterday and have them in a Banana box from Publix (Per the lady I got them from) I was using a 52 watt bulb but I felt that they were too cold. So I changed it to a 100 watt. Am I okay using his or should I purchase another kind? When I had the 52 watt they were all huddled together by the stuffed animal I have in there. Now with the 100 watt they are randomly laying under the light with their eyes closed. I assume they are okay now? I attached a pic of how close the lamp is...should it be closer? It's about 2 1/2 ft away from them. Any tips will be a BIG help!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I would move it a little closer to concentrate the light into one corner so the rest of the box will be cooler. Put the feed and water at the opposite end of the light so they have to come out from under it to eat and drink. This would more simulate a hen and help them feather out a little quicker and prevent them from over heating.
PS- you'll want to start looking for a bigger box ASAP. They'll outgrow that in no time and will probably be flying out of it as soon as their little wing feathers come in (which will be within the week). I'd go for a watermelon box or a kiddie pool with some chicken wire over the top, something like that. They need more space to spread and to get away from the heat

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Oh, and by the way, I use a regular 60 watt bulb in my brooder. You may want to change back to the 52 watt bulb and move the lamp down until you find a bigger box. Then switch back to the 100 watt bulb. If you keep using the 100 watt bulb, I'd shine the lamp so, like, half of the light is outside the box.

 

[Mattemma]

.I just got my chicks today,so I am still figuing out the best set up.My lamp is low and I have a 250 watt and a large playpen.Check out my pics.

From what I remember back when I had chicks in 09 and 10 is you follow the cue of the chicks.They huddle under the light they might be cold.They stay out of it then it might be too low or too hot. I have some under it and so on the opposite site. I may switch mine to a 100 or 60 watt. High watt 24/7 always makes me nervous.

Try looking for a playpen on craigs.They make great brooders!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/g/a/6419924/new-chicks-april-2013/

 

[cubalaya]

the 250 watt red light is the way to go for chicks.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I've had chicks for 2 weeks and have had issues with keeping the temp consistent, mostly because we got a heat wave the week I got them and our AC wasn't yet on. It went to 92 degrees! Hello, summer!

I started with the 250 red bulb but that was too hot with the heat wave, even at night. Went to the pet store and got a 100w red bulb from the reptile section. That has worked perfectly so far! I have it closer to the birds than I had the 250w bulb but it's easier to regulate the heat by moving it up and down.

We're back to regular spring weather now and the 100w bulb is still enough heat without frying the babies.

 

[Ridgerunner]

As long as they are scattered around, not huddled right under the heat or lining the far sides of the brooder getting as far from it as they can, you are doing OK.

What I do is have a large brooder and only heat one area. With good ventilation the rest can cool off. That way I don’t have to worry about getting the heat right. They can find their own comfort zone as long as one area is warm enough and other areas are cool enough.

 

[Hdubya]

Update: I have been using a 100 watt bulb and the chickies are doing just fine!

 

[cubalaya]

watch for feather picking using a white light

 

[debid]

watch for feather picking using a white light

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.