is this strange or what and possibly we should all start to do this :)

[canesisters]

I think they meant that a stuffed animal or feather duster + bulb is a hazard. Though I'm not sure why... maybe because each of those things would be a good bit taller than a chick and therefore be much closer to the bulb???

 

[DayOldChicksNY]

I'm confused... you state that if you are using a brooder bulb, it's a fire hazard. I thought we are supposed to use a brooder bulb?? I'm new to raising chicks, don't get my first ones until April, but what are you saying we should use??
Totally confused.

No No No... Yes use a brooder bulb, what i was saying is that if you put the stuffed animal too close to the brooder, the stuffed animal can get too hot and cause a fire due to it being fabric... On another note, yes you use a brooder bulb for heat source, although they still are fire hazzard, its always good to have a smoke detector near by. Ive had one explode, thank god i was around and it didnt do anything just smoked a little bit.



Ceramic Infrared Heat Emitters are a good source of heat without as much of a chance of exploding; although they dont put off any light, so youd have to put a regular light in there as well... They are a little more expensive though... Just another option to throw out there...

 

[NotableNancy]

Most people use a brooder bulb. If wired in correctly and placed not too close to something flammable you won't start a fire. Here's some pics of brooders with bulbs to give you an idea of what and how you can do it:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/homemade-chicken-brooder-designs-pictures

Thanks Sumi. We are going to hang the bulb from the ceiling because I read that sometimes people have trouble with clamps breaking, so no clamps needed. We're not getting them until the end of April and for the first 6 weeks or so they will be in a room enclosed by sliding glass doors on 3 sides and attached to the house. It's not a heated room (super cold in the winter and really hot/humid in summer but nice in Spring) but with the light hanging over that we can raise and lower it should be good. It's what I'm most concerned about but my hubby has it all worked out

 

[NotableNancy]

No No No... Yes use a brooder bulb, what i was saying is that if you put the stuffed animal too close to the brooder, the stuffed animal can get too hot and cause a fire due to it being fabric... On another note, yes you use a brooder bulb for heat source, although they still are fire hazzard, its always good to have a smoke detector near by. Ive had one explode, thank god i was around and it didnt do anything just smoked a little bit.

Gotcha! Thanks!!
I thought the idea of a stuffed animal was cute but you completely changed my mind! Also the 'yuck' factor.

 

[sumi]

Thanks Sumi. We are going to hang the bulb from the ceiling because I read that sometimes people have trouble with clamps breaking, so no clamps needed. We're not getting them until the end of April and for the first 6 weeks or so they will be in a room enclosed by sliding glass doors on 3 sides and attached to the house. It's not a heated room (super cold in the winter and really hot/humid in summer but nice in Spring) but with the light hanging over that we can raise and lower it should be good. It's what I'm most concerned about but my hubby has it all worked out

That sounds like a good idea. Aim for a brooder temp of 95* for the first few days and lower it every week by around 5*, but check the chicks also. They will left you know quick if they are too hot/cold or uncomfortable. I keep the lamp off to one side with a hot and cool area and hang the feather duster somewhere in-between. So the chicks can decide where they want to hang out. I found after a few days they usually just come to the lamp for quick warm-ups and prefer the cooler spots.

 

[joanie_maine]

As stated above: "They're Hungry, They Are Too Cold, They Are Too Hot... If they are comfortable they wont be chirping like crazy"

Chicks are not human babies. Their needs are very simple.

Heat, Food, Water

 

[DayOldChicksNY]

As stated above: "They're Hungry, They Are Too Cold, They Are Too Hot... If they are comfortable they wont be chirping like crazy"

Chicks are not human babies. Their needs are very simple.

Heat, Food, Water

I know there needs are very simple. That's why i said what i said.... And you pretty much repeated what i said...

 

[lucyharper123]

they deffo werent too hot or cold they had a place for shade and they were quiet as soon as i put ted in