Is a heat lamp absolutly necessary?

[Chickn chick 46]

Hi, I'm new to the board and I'm new to raising baby chicks without a mama hen.

I'm a bit hesitant to use a heat lamp simply because I'm paranoid about fire hazard.

I did find a red spot light bulb but its only 85 watt. Will this work?

I'm expecting to get my 9 baby chicks June 2. We will probably keep them in the basement for a week or 2 then move them to our greenhouse once night time temps moderate to the 60's.

Thanks for any help

 

[EricShane]

I would think so.. i wouldnt dare put a baby in 60 degree weather without a heatlamp without expecting it to be dead by morning.

 

[Mrs.Puff]

Try it out first to make sure it works. They should have at least 100 degrees for the first week I think.

 

[SimplyForties]

The chicks need to be in an environment in the 90 degree range 24/7, lowering the temperature each week by about 5 degrees. If you can do that without a heat lamp, then you don't need one. If you can't, then you do need one! Get a cheap thermometer, set up your brooder (before you get your chicks) and try the 85w lamp and see if it fits the bill. Remember, you can vary the temperature by raising and/or lowering the lamp, in addition to decreasing or increasing the wattage. Make sure your chicks can be under the lamp or out from under the lamp as they choose.

My brooder is a big appliance box, which is set up in my house and a 100w red lamp is working perfectly for us, easily keeping the area under it at 90 degrees, which seems to suit the chicks perfectly.

 

[spook]

Up until this year, I had never used a heat lamp and in the past incubated eggs with a 25 watt bulb, now in my incubator I use 5 Christmas bulbs...so it does not have to be a heat lamp, nor do I purchase the red bulbs either!
Usually with the size of the brooder I'll place a drop light in the box secured aprox 1 foot off the bottom of the litter, with a thermometer laying on the floor for the first 24 hours to make sure your temp is good with that watt bulb. If its dafty, you will need to cover box with a towel, or screen then towel.
That first week the temp needs to be 95, if its 95 they don't need a bulb, then the next week 90, next week 85 and you can raise the bulb to decrease the temp and then by 80 degrees, you should be feathered out and your temps may be good enough to put them out in building or atleast for day time.
Good luck and hope I've helped you. It seems as though someone used a heating stone that is used for lizards- don't quote me on that one.
Hope someone gives you a better answer then mine!

 

[annek]

You have to keep the brooder temp. up initially around 95 for the first week, then drop 5 degrees per week after, however you can do that is okay. A light is used because the chicks can get away from it if they get too hot or go to it if they are cold. If you don't keep it warm enough your chicks will pile together and smother the bottom ones or just all die.

I had mine in the house and started with a 250 watt heat lamp that TSC gave me. It was too hot for the house which was around 70. I then dropped it down to a 100 watt light to maintain the temp. In the basement you are going to need a warmer light than what I used. You can put some covers around the brooder and on the top to keep the temp up. I would recommend setting it up now and seeing if you can maintain the temp before the chicks arrive. No one can tell except you if the light will be enough at that wattage.

 

[herrin]

Hi there,

I am absolutely brand new at this so I can't speak to anything except the bulb you mention.

I was getting my brooder box (?) ready for my first two chicks and found the 85 watt red bulb at Wal-Mart. I figured hey why not and got it. I put it in and put the thermometer under it to ensure that I could hit the 100 degrees that they need.

It wasn't even close. I could lower it to about 3 inches above the thermometer and it wouldn't get over 80 degrees or so. Since I don't know anything about this I said forget it and got a 250w bulb from my feed supply store. It has worked great and my chicks seem to love it! They are only on their fourth day but seem warm enough.

Shawn


P.S. I got a lizard lamp from petsmart that has adjustable intensity for the light. It has allowed me to dial in the temperature perfectly.

 

[sparkles2307]

We got 3 week old ducklings at the fair last summer, housed them outside and didnt use a heat lamp and they are just fine almost a year later... I am about ready to kick my 3 week olds out now as they are picking on the chicks!

 

[EricShane]

Quote:
oh what a good idea!

 

[Chickn chick 46]

Thanks everyone. The red bulb that herrin mentioned from walmart is the one I have. I also saw halogen 100 watt spot but wasn't sure about that either.

I guess this weekend I'll get everthing set up and see how it goes.

The lizard lamp is a good idea, thanks!