Need tips on rasing the heat.

[Uzuri]

So I tested the brooder this weekend (it's one of those open dog crates; I've put cardboard up the sides, and when I get closer to "chick time" there will be pellets in the bottom). Just eked out a 95 during the day... hmm... worrisome. Seems like it'll be difficult to keep it there at night, though I did intentionally choose a cool day for testing, to get closer to the night temps that we'll be having in two weeks.

I've got the bulb about as close to the ground as I can get it (no sense in having chicks bumping their heads on it

) I don't want to go heat lamp if I can help it because I'm scared to death of fire--just using 100 watt bulbs is making me nervous enough, and I've got that thing chained, tied, taped, and clipped.

Any ideas on how to warm things up a bit? Will the addition of the pellets and the waterer/feeder/chicks themselves gain me a few degrees?

 

[farrier!]

If you have the correct lamp (ceramic) then a heat bulb will not cause a fire.
I have 2 going right now in my house and never gave it a thought.
Sure sounds like it will be too cold otherwise....