My New Brooder: Where to put lamps?

[Lil Chickie Mama]

What are you doing to me?!

I just ordered 31 chicks and will also be adding ducks and a few turkeys later. Not to mention the goats that will be here in 2 months thanks to yet another BYC'er

Actually I really like frizzles or sizzles but I think before I get that kind I want to set up a separate area for non-flyers. Or at least set up a new roosting area. But that's all for next year, I'm at my max of new critters this year. When I do get frizzles or sizzles though, that's probably when I'll get some show girls too hahaha. BTW, I love your pic, they are adorable. I'm excited for this batch that's coming though. Among the myriad that's arriving is 2 turken chicks. I'm going to name them Ugly and Fugly. DH was not happy when he saw what they look like but I think they are cute...in an ugly way.

 

[Frosty]

I have started chicks and poults here in ND, temps below freezing and used one 250W heat lamp. If I were to do that again, I would probably go with 2 100W lamps because the lamp blew once and they didn't have any heat until DH heard them frantically peeping (I was at work). I did lose 2 poults from it...

Will your set-up be under cover? Apart from needing to keep the little ones dry, if any moisture gets inside the little holes in the top of the lamp, it will drip down onto the hot bulb and the bulb will shatter (which is what happened to mine - a drop of condensation from the roof fell and got to the bulb).

Nice looking set-up!

 

[IggiMom]

Yes, that is beautiful. I just use a big watermelon corral.

And I agree with the light on one end.

But my chicks say that they like warm water.

HOWEVER, in spite of this, the water should not be too near the light, because, if somehow it would get spilled or splash or something, and get on the light, it can cause the light to break. This actually happened to me, and it wasn't even all that close, so I do know it can happen. I am not sure why it fell over--I guess ALLLL the little chickies got together, and stood on the same side of their water, so it tipped over. I guess.

Catherine

 

[Lil Chickie Mama]

Yep, the hutch will be in a 3 sided shed with a roof. I work at home so I can check on them a LOT, but just in case I'll go get 100 wt bulbs to have on hand. I'll be careful to watch the water among other things. Thanks for all the advice!!! Hey, I'm all for using cardboard, a kiddie pool, or whatever else may be on hand. We just happened to have all these materials (except the plywood) on hand from scraps of other projects. I also would like it to look nice and be able to last a long time so I can reuse it many times down the line for MORE CHICKS or maybe for rabbits or a hospital or just...something later on. Again, thanks all!

 

[Rocky Meadows]

Here is a pic of how I have mine set up. One side fully enclosed with 2 hundred watt light bulbs on a dimmer switch. I have 2 bulbs so if one blows I have a backup. And on the other side I have it enclosed with hardware cloth. After they feather out I remove the partition. http://www.plamondon.com/robert/chicks_sm.jpg