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[FortCluck]

That doesn't make ant sense ... you should be able to adjust it... It should have that built In function... you might need a replacement... do you still have the warranty??

Do you know what a stock tank is? Its a big tank that is used for drink water for large livestock animals, but they have other uses... You can change them into a brooder which many people do.

They're just using a 250 watt bulb so the way you adjust it is by lowering or raising the bulb.

No replacement is needed, they just need to figure out how to keep heat in such as covering some of the top of the stock tank.

 

[DobieLover]

I’m trying different heights to control temperature

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
How many chicks are you expecting? Have you considered making a momma heating pad or using a brooder plate with a towel over it instead? I used that when the outside temp was 23F and I didn't have any problems. If it's really cold where you are you could supplement the heat with a properly secured heat lamp with a 100-150 watt ceramic bulb in it aimed at the mouth of the cave or brooder plate.
The way that board is currently positioned over the tank and the lamp being just clamped to the edge of it is an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Kiki]

I have quail chicks hatching today.
They will be started at 80 degrees in my brooder.
I will be dropping the temp in two day.



I am sure 80 will be fine for you to start with.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[sourland]

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! You've been given the advice you need already, so I just want to say good luck with your chicks! I hope it all works out perfectly!

 

[sciencegrrrrl]

Welcome! Great advice, I'd only add to check for drafts. Covering the side with the lamp can help with that for sure. I've always had good luck with a warm side and a cool side in a similar set up. Good luck and please post pics of your new kids when they hatch!

 

[NatJ]

I can’t seem to get my brooder more than 80 degrees in 40 degree weather I have a stock tank with wire cloth over the top and a 250w bulb. I need suggestions.

Where are you measuring the temperature? Baby chicks "need" a certain temperature in the warmest spot (right under the lamp), but they don't need it that warm everywhere.

If you're only getting 80 directly under the lamp, measured at chick height (an inch or two up), then I agree with the suggestion to cover part of the brooder to reduce airflow. You could even try covering it with a screen (window screen, spare screen door)--that slows airflow but does not completely block it. (And a metal screen should not be able to catch fire.)

Obviously, most suggestions (including mine) pretty much amount to "try this, check again, maybe try something else."

 

[Bob 1313]

Heating with electric bulbs often lead to disaster. Not a winter goes by with out at least one fire in our area. Bulbs seem to fail at the worse times and have had a few even burst when they blew.
There are lots of "plate" heaters out there that work quite well. While they might seem a bit pricey, they more than pay for them selves in electricity savings and peace of mind. Currently using Premier which are several years old and have been trouble free.

 

[gtaus]

I can’t seem to get my brooder more than 80 degrees in 40 degree weather I have a stock tank with wire cloth over the top and a 250w bulb. I need suggestions.

You are lucky to have such a nice stock tank for your brooder. That's the way all the local farm stores around here brood their chicks for sale. If I had a stock tank, I'd use it as a brooder too.

I used a tow behind garden cart as my brooder and I also used heat lamps. I get my chicks in the early spring, and the temps in my garage are also in the low 40F's that time of year. Here are some suggestions that I think may help you.

1) The sides of a typical stock tank are pretty high. Using a 2x4 on top of the stock tank and clamping the heat lamp on it is not a good idea, IMHO. First of all, it looks like the heat lamp is too high for the 40F temp outside to heat up the area under the light to about 95F. You need to get the lamp lower into the stock tank. What I have had very good luck with is using 2 chains to suspend my heat lamps above the bedding. I never trust the clamp on the heat lamp as they can work themselves off the board and drop down into the litter - possible fire hazard. I use 2 chains to suspend the heat lamp because if one chain would fail, there is a backup to prevent the heat lamp from falling into the litter and starting a fire. Using chains makes it very easy to adjust the height of the heat lamp.

2) I always used 2 heat lamps for those first critical days and weeks because if one heat lamp fails, the chicks can still run under the other light for the night and keep warm. As you can tell, I am a big believer in backups. If one heat lamps fails, and if the temp in your brooder drops down to that 40F temp, you risk losing your chicks. I sleep better at night knowing that I have a backup heat lamp in case one bulb fails.

3) I would not use any towel anywhere near my heat lamps - fire hazard that I don't want to think about.

4) I have always had good luck with heat lamps over 20 years and if you secure them with chains, I believe they are safe. I like being able to look down into the brooder and see if the chicks are huddled together under the light (too cold), if the chicks won't go under the light at all (too warm), or if the chicks are running all around in and out of the light as needed (just right). I have not used the heat pads/tents/etc... that are out on the market now because I don't like not being able to see how the chicks are doing under the pad. I know many people have great things to say about those devices, but there are also many people here on BYC forums that have lost many chicks using those pads/tents and have no idea why. After using heat lamps over 30 years successfully, I doubt I'll change my ways.

5) You have a great setup for a chick brooder and I think with a few minor adjustments you will get the heat to your desired temps, safely, with the heat lamp(s).