For what it is worth, I use a red heat bulb (in a heat lamp ceramic socket double secured to the ceiling over the brooder). Last year I used the 250 watt one about 18-24" above the floor of the brooder for the first week and a half and then had to buy a 150 watt reptile light because I couldn't get the temp down below 90 with the 250 (it was in July with air conditioning in the garage).
This summer, I'm starting with the 250 again (got them Wednesday) and I'll raise the lamp when they start staying away from it. The temp at floor level is 95 right now, and I'll raise the 250 another 6" or so next week and then shift to the lower wattage.
I also have room lights on from 6 am to 9 or 10 pm when I shut things down for the night.
I'm hoping to move the little suckers out to the tractor grow out coop when they are 3 or 4 weeks or so. As I recall, they began to drive me crazy in the house about that time last summer. That will be the beginning of June, so nights may still be too cool for them outside, but they can come in at sunset and back out in the morning.
I THINK they need light (white light) at least during daylight hours. I also THINK they need to have some heat that isn't white light the rest of the time. I base this on all I've read here.
This summer, I'm starting with the 250 again (got them Wednesday) and I'll raise the lamp when they start staying away from it. The temp at floor level is 95 right now, and I'll raise the 250 another 6" or so next week and then shift to the lower wattage.
I also have room lights on from 6 am to 9 or 10 pm when I shut things down for the night.
I'm hoping to move the little suckers out to the tractor grow out coop when they are 3 or 4 weeks or so. As I recall, they began to drive me crazy in the house about that time last summer. That will be the beginning of June, so nights may still be too cool for them outside, but they can come in at sunset and back out in the morning.
I THINK they need light (white light) at least during daylight hours. I also THINK they need to have some heat that isn't white light the rest of the time. I base this on all I've read here.
