Not enough heat!

[Egghead_Jr]

In small totes like that I used incandescant bulbs. 60-100W. With that you can lower the lamp so the shield reflects heat down. The lamp should be facing down. Hang the lamp or use two chairs and a closet rod between them. Don't clamp the lamp rather put the rod through the clamp hole so it's secure.

 

[Rysktal]

Earlier in the season before I had an extra heat lamp and needed to brood a just hatched chick, I made some heating pads out of hot water in a Ziploc bag, rolled in a scarf. I placed that in a rubber maid and put 2 more hot water Ziploc bags on the outside of the rubber maid and placed it in a sunny window. Totally did the trick, though I did have to refill the bags every 2 hours.

Just in case you need something soon while you figure out your lamp situation!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

@JanetMarie has a good point. No rules require the use of a 250 watt heat lamp. These heat lamps at such a high wattage are designed to heat a lot of chicks at cold outdoor temps, as rural chicken keepers often brood chicks outdoors in their barns, chicken coops, and runs.

250 watts is decidedly overkill over a tiny plastic tub during the warm summer weather, even indoors where the ambient temp can be 80F with a house air conditioning system running. A 100 or 75 watt incandescent bulb will provide adequate heat for two babies this time of year in the northern hemisphere.

But I still recommend the heating pad system for just two little chicks. This system is designed to simulate the close, cozy confines of a broody hen, and the best part is the chicks aren't under a bright light 24 hours a day with no relief. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

I agree. A 250 bulb is more than adequate even for outdoor brooding. I’ve had a few day old chicks out in the shed with a lamp in winter with snow & ice on the ground and it’s more than warm enough for them. For house/indoor brooding I use an eco glow in a guinea cage but only until I know they are eating & drinking ok then put to the shed they go.

Heat lamp + plastic tote = Easy bake oven. Many threads each season about chicks made ill or killed by those set ups. If you intend to use a heat lamp, provide enough space: try an appliance box. And as other posters have stated: position the lamp correctly, and you should be able to get by with even a 60W bulb. 250 is a recipe for disaster. Be sure the lamp is secured in more than one way. Never trust the clamp that comes with the heat lamp. You only need a small area that is warm. The remainder of the brooder should be ambient room temperature.

Easy bake for sure with such a large bulb.