Please Recommend a Bulb

[3KillerBs]

We just picked up the loaner brooding equipment and, as I feared, the heat lamp has a 250 watt red bulb in it. I'm certain that's dangerously hot for an NC June with forecast lows just about 70F and forecast highs in the low-mid 90's.

Please recommend a more suitable bulb -- I was wondering about one of those 100 watt ceramic reptile bulbs.

I will be brooding in my Little Monitor Coop, placed in as much shade as I can provide on this property.

 

[sealer39]

I would definitely not use the 250w bulb in an enclosed coop. I believe the reptile light would suffice. If you are getting at least 6-8 chicks they will keep themselves warm at night under your conditions.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A reptile bulb should be fine. I don't have any experience with the ceramic ones though, just the standard red ones.

 

[3KillerBs]

The ceramic heat emitters that were so reasonably priced on Amazon were $26-$35 in Petco so I bought a 100 watt nighttime bulb. If that's too hot upon testing I can go as low as a 60 watt.

 

[toastinboots]

I'm using a 100-watt ceramic infrared bulb, a Thermo-Peep heated mat on the floor of a MHP-style "cave", and another heating pad on top of the cave. Thermometer says it's around 85 degrees in the cave, which does not sound warm enough for my 2-day old chicks... but they are acting like they are comfortable so I'm going with it. They're in the coop, and it's been around 60 degrees at night 80 degrees in the day. It's a tough balance between keeping these chickies warm enough and not burning the coop down!