Lamps - Red vs. White bulbs?

[AllChookUp]

I've seem some pics on here where some people are using red and white bulbs (two lamps, one with each type of bulb).

What is the purpose? Is the white bulb for heat AND light, and the red bulb just for heat (at night)? Is that setup recommended?

 

[Red]

I've only ever hatched chicks with an incubator once, and we used a white heat lamp. The problem we had with this that when we turned the light off for the first time when the chicks were about 7.wo, they were terrified of the dark and peeped loudly until the light was turned on and someone went to sit with them. We had to 'teach' them that the dark was when they were supposed to sleep, as before they had slept whenever they felt like it because there was constant light

I'm not sure if there is this trouble with the red heatlamps or not?

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

I try to use red bulbs, when I can. I think it reduces picking & stress....

 

[AllChookUp]

Heather; I checked out your website - That is some awesome artwork. I'm going to look into it more.

Thanks for the feedback on the red bulb, too.

 

[sara]

I only recently used a red 250 watt bulb because i was out of room in the basement, and had to put chicks in the barn and needed the extra heat. Normally I just use a 75 or 100 watt white lightbulb in the basement. It gives more than enough heat.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
Thank you!!

 

[Grindlefamily]

I used a natural plant bulb, and my chicks seemed to like that over the bright white of a regular bulb. I have been using a red light at night since it is warm enough now that they don't need heat.

Good Luck.

Louella

 

[AllChookUp]

Grindlefamily wrote:

I have been using a red light at night since it is warm enough now that they don't need heat.

I must be missing something - Doesn't the red bulb give out heat? I thought that was the point - It gives heat, but very little light.​

 

[Grindlefamily]

Mine are still young enough that they want light, but it is warm enough to not need one.

I only found a 25 watt bulb, and couldn't keep my babies warm enough with that so that is why I used the plant bulb with natural light.

Louella

 

[Davaroo]

Heres what I have learned.

Chicks arent the brightest bulbs in the brooder. They are easily confused, not knowing where the food or water is, and so they are sometimes left out. This is especially so in larger brood arrangments. It so happens that they are also attracted to white light.

They are also drawn to the color red, as in blood. The little savages start picking on each other, mercilessly, at an early age. This is especially prevalent when the brooder is a bit confined.
I use the word 'savages' without equivocation. If a little blood is drawn under harsh white light, during these 'poking matches', then things can become dire. I've been suprised to see a blooded chick ravaged by its own flock mates within hours. I was shocked even more when they began to eat it, it's legs weakly flailing, trying to escape...

SO I play to their "vices," as it were.
I use red heat lights as their first light. Under red light, any blood is not seen as red, but merely as a speck of black. No red, no attack. It is also soothing, just what the doctor ordered for the first 3-4 days.

I put a small white lamp directly above the food and water. A C7, 7W bulb is fine. This attracts them to the feeding station, so they can get to the food and water.

Once they get well established, after the 1st week or so, I turn up the room lights and dispense with all the lighting trickery. The red lamp remains, but it is only there to add heat. By the 4th week they are out of the confines of the heated brooder.

PS Forest Lake, MN - Ice Fishing Capital of the World.