If your are talking about the full blown heat lamp, its a bad idea..... I use the totes, I have 4 tubs, and 2 identical lids to this one....I can set up the clean tote and just transfer the chicks and slide the lid right over to the clean tote.... but I have only ran old fashion 60 watt bulbs for years and they work perfectly. Honestly 1000's of chicks have been thru this exact tote. You can see in the pick as I need to cool the tote off. I simply fold the towel laying on the screen to expose the 1/2" hardware cloth and allow it to vent. You used to be able to buy "party bulbs" that were red yellow and orange. Since the government saved us from the evil lights, you cant find them much any more. When you can they are 25 watt and thats just too small. A full blown heat bulb with this style of reflector has burnt down more houses, garages, shops and chicken houses over the years than anything else! The spring clamps that come with them should always be promptly thrown away too! Good luck. Bill
That's the way I brood my quail and chickens, both inside the house and out in their cages. They have the opportunity to self regulate their comfort zone and I don't have to worry about the temps inside the brooder. I see so many brooders on the chicken board that look like chicken cookers that it's no surprise when a week later they post a thread "help why are my chicks dieing" Instead of litter I use paper towels because I sprinkle feed on the floor to get them started eating. after several days when I'm convinced they're gonna live it's out to the wire brooder cages and...regular 60w light bulbs.If your are talking about the full blown heat lamp, its a bad idea..... I use the totes, I have 4 tubs, and 2 identical lids to this one....I can set up the clean tote and just transfer the chicks and slide the lid right over to the clean tote.... but I have only ran old fashion 60 watt bulbs for years and they work perfectly. Honestly 1000's of chicks have been thru this exact tote. ...............
Nice set up I am doing something similar, and by that I mean using plastic storage totes as a brooder. I am using wood shavings in the bottom though that way I can add some everyday to cover the poop. I do like the idea of a second tote that is clean so they can be transferred to the new one and the old one cleaned.If your are talking about the full blown heat lamp, its a bad idea..... I use the totes, I have 4 tubs, and 2 identical lids to this one....I can set up the clean tote and just transfer the chicks and slide the lid right over to the clean tote.... but I have only ran old fashion 60 watt bulbs for years and they work perfectly. Honestly 1000's of chicks have been thru this exact tote. You can see in the pick as I need to cool the tote off. I simply fold the towel laying on the screen to expose the 1/2" hardware cloth and allow it to vent. You used to be able to buy "party bulbs" that were red yellow and orange. Since the government saved us from the evil lights, you cant find them much any more. When you can they are 25 watt and thats just too small. A full blown heat bulb with this style of reflector has burnt down more houses, garages, shops and chicken houses over the years than anything else! The spring clamps that come with them should always be promptly thrown away too! Good luck. Bill
