Official BYC Poll: What Heat Lamp Setup Do You Use?

[cluckmecoop7]

I use a heat plate 1) because it's more like a mama hen and 2) it is safer for the chicks and not a fire hazard.

 

[Sonya9]

Oh also use a $10 dimmer cord on the ceramic heat emitter so I can adjust the temperature output. Also works on red heat lamps just make sure the wattage on your heat bulb doesn't exceed the wattage limit on the cord.

Also have a Zilla thermostat that turns the heat on/off to maintain the temp which is nice on chilly nights when the temperatures change in my small old house. I used to keep reptiles which is why I have that stuff.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

This is what I plan on getting next year, since I heard it is better than a heat lamp.
https://www.brinsea.com/p-620-ecoglow-safety-1200-chick-brooder.aspx

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

An MHP is a Mama Heating Pad. It's where you turn a heating pad into a heat source for artificially brooded chicks.

Wouldn’t they poop all over it though

 

[MGG]

Wouldn’t they poop all over it though

Yes, but I wrap an old towel in lock and seal plastic wrap, and then cover the heating pad with that.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Yes, but I wrap an old towel in lock and seal plastic wrap, and then cover the heating pad with that.

Okay

 

[Autumn97]

I have a variety of set-ups based on age, type of birds, and ambient temperatures. I use an indoor brooder with an 80W ceramic bulb, I have a shed brooder with both heat plate and 250W red bulb capabilities. For winter, I have a heated shed attached to my sub aviary with a thermostat to start electric heater at temps below 50* and I have a cozy coop flat panel heater if I ever have a need for supplemental heat in a coop or hideaway.

Im very new to chickens, i have 4 chicks that are about 8 days old. I dont know how to measure the temp in the brooder, so i have a meat thermometer stuck halfway into the bedding. It says they are at about 90 degrees, but they seem to be panting at times. Im using a 250W red lamp, i have them in a plastic tote from walmart with woodshavings as bedding. I got my advice crom the guy who i bought the chicks from, who works at my local ACE. Am i baking my little chickies?!?!?!

 

[muddy75]

Im very new to chickens, i have 4 chicks that are about 8 days old. I dont know how to measure the temp in the brooder, so i have a meat thermometer stuck halfway into the bedding. It says they are at about 90 degrees, but they seem to be panting at times. Im using a 250W red lamp, i have them in a plastic tote from walmart with woodshavings as bedding. I got my advice crom the guy who i bought the chicks from, who works at my local ACE. Am i baking my little chickies?!?!?!

It’s important to watch behavior vs just going by numbers. A proper brooder setup will have warm and cooler side for chicks to move to for comfort. I bought a multi pack of several thermometers from Amazon to spot check temps in multiple areas. If a 250 bulb is all you have currently, can you raise it up and put it to one end.

 

[Autumn97]

This is how i have it set up now, i just turned the lamp off for pictures. I try to keep one side cooler than the other for that reason

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Im very new to chickens, i have 4 chicks that are about 8 days old. I dont know how to measure the temp in the brooder, so i have a meat thermometer stuck halfway into the bedding. It says they are at about 90 degrees, but they seem to be panting at times. Im using a 250W red lamp, i have them in a plastic tote from walmart with woodshavings as bedding. I got my advice crom the guy who i bought the chicks from, who works at my local ACE. Am i baking my little chickies?!?!?!

I was very worried about mine but then I got a 50 gallon tote and they like it a lot better