Keeping chicks sufficiently warm- please help

[kreisherk]

I am getting my first little brood of 6 chicks tomorrow morning. I set up a 105qt rubbermaid brooder with a light receptacle and dimmer switch at one end. I could not find 100 or 150 watt infrared bulbs and could only find 75 watt infrared that is used for reptiles or the 250 watt, which i think is too hot for the brooder I have. I've read that that 60 or 75 watt should be enough. But in a test run tonight I could only raise the temperature of the inside of the brooder to 80 degrees. Will the chicks body temp raise the temp higher or do I need to put in a stronger watt bulb? I know questions of this nature have been addressed but hadn't found an answer for my specific problem. TIA for any help.

 

[Mahonri]

If the chicks are new, they need at least 95 degrees the first week, 90 the second, 85 the third and so on....

I'm in AZ and I still have a lamp for my 8 week old chicks.... but it will be unplugged on the 15th...

 

[mandelyn]

I don't use a red bulb, only white/clear. Depending on the brooder in use and the age of the chicks, I use regular incandescent bulbs, or the 150w brooder bulb. For my 95qt rubbermaid tote brooder, I used the 75w bulb. You only need to worry about the temp where the bulb hits, everything else can be cooler. I set the thermometer right under the light, since that's where the chicks will sit when they want to get toasty.

The room temperature plays a role as well. Out in a garage or shed and you'll need the 250w this time of year.

Any bulb over 75w has to have a ceramic base for safety, the plastic base can/will melt! All my brooders have wire tops, so I can cover the wire with a towel to retain heat or let it out. The older they get, the less covering there is. By 4 weeks there isn't a cover anymore.

My 6 outgrew the tote at the start of the 3rd week. Be sure to have a larger space ready to avoid bickering and feather picking. I have a 3x3 dog welping box I've altered for chicks, it's the in between brooder before they go outside. (come on Spring!)

Somewhere I heard to use the red bulbs so that they can sleep. They sleep just fine with the white bulbs, so I never switched. The only red bulb I saw was the 250w (never used one that hot).

You want 95-99 that first week, then 5 degrees less each week after that as they grow feathers. I switch bulbs out as needed or change how much heat/air escapes.

 

[kreisherk]

Thanks again for everyone's insight and help. I think I know what direction to go in now. You guys are the best!