Red Bulbs - Fire Hazard! CHEAP Bulbs Not Pyrex

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
Wow! I'm thinking I have a different kind of red bulb. I paid about 15 - 20 bucks each for mine!

 

[Luvducks]

Quote:
Wow! I'm thinking I have a different kind of red bulb. I paid about 15 - 20 bucks each for mine!

Maybe THAT is why ours are Exploding! Cheaply made. I will get the info off of the bulbs Murdoch.s Carries. I have none left. Some of you are using the same bulbs for years and I used 3 last season. Something is definately different. Starting to make more sense now. I REALLY did not intend to put people in a Panic mode. Just wanted to put this info out there. Thank you for posting.

 

[nanawendy]

I (like mississippifarmboy) paid well over 15, I'm thinking 18 and some change. I got it from the farmers co-op. There still in storage, I'm setting up this weekend for next weeks arrival . I'll have to check out the 250W. All the others (graded downward) are reptile lamps. Thanks for the reminder... sometimes I get so EXCITED about the chicks I forget the basics.

 

[Kelsey2017]

Some of the heat lamps are made with pyrex glass, and some are not. Pyrex glass is laboratory grade and will last longer and can handle a drop of water. Also make sure you do not touch the glass on the bulb as oils on your fingers can heat up and cause it to burst. I always use the paper wrapper that the bulbs come in to screw it in to the fixture and don't ever touch it with bare hands or dirty gloves, also keep dust wiped (gently) off. I am excited to have heard of the ceramic heat emitters and will try it, although I most likely will still buy some safer heat lamps like Kelidei from Premier too. I am a frugal person, but it doesn't pay to cheap out on this subject!

 

[pdsavage]

Orschlens last year switched thier bulb brands to some cheaper red bulbs.I went through 3 (they didn't last a week)before i called it quits.Now i just use 100 watt bulbs.

 

[featherz]

I ordered the brinsea EcoGlow and SO FAR the chicks love it. I have 13 chicks and they are doing fine at a bit over 2 weeks old. I think 20 chicks would be pushing it but 13 are fine. Now that they are a little bigger they hang out under it and ON it. Better yet, it's like 18 watts and can sit right on the pine shavings. Negatives - bit pricey and small. However, I like it so much I may get a second one for bigger hatches.

 

[JerseyHen]

I purchased a 150 w zoomed CHE and a Zoo med deluxe dimmable 8.5 clamp lamp so I don't have to move the lamp to change the temp (both for about $40 because I qualified for free shipping). I am also fashioning a cage for the front of the lamp that will help prevent any breaking glass from hitting the ground. (I will be hanging this over an open brooder, wouldn't be an issue if it was sitting on hardware wire).

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Delux...2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1299704941&sr=8-2

I hope it works. I obsessed about what kind of light set up to use, but decided to go this route until Brinsea has a bigger brooder or the Sweeter Heater comes down in price (of course at 14 and 32 watts, they probably pay for themselves in electricity savings).

 

[biddybird]

I have used different wattages of red spot lights for several years. I'm in Texas so our days get hot and some nights really cold, so I start out with the higher wattage and keep changing with the seasons. I like them because of the heavy glass.

 

[Celtictrinity]

Here's the thing....

You are going to find horror stories about every type of device that emits heat. That's just the way it is. If it has the potential to catch something on fire, it has at some point in time. I have a 250watt red bulb in my brooder at the moment and it's not given me one ounce of worry. All of the chicken people I talk to use them as well. I got mine at the feed store for $6.99.

But scaring new chicken mommas and dads, who have done like a good majority of the sites and books say and gotten a red bulb, is really not a good thing. There is nothing wrong with them, used appropriately IMHO.

 

[terry's chicks]

Now, I'm worried, I bought a good brand "Sylvania" for $10. leave it on 24/7 with new chick babies, have it clipped on to something over the brooder and the cage lays on the hardware wire. I worry about it burning out when I'm gone to work, was sure I kept it from anything flamable, didin't think about it exploding. What to do????? they are only 4 days old so will be using it for awhile The one you mentioned on e-bay for $18. I'll try and see if I can find it. Do I just search for "Ceramic Heater"?