I actually like using the parabolic lamps, each with a 250w infra-red bulb. They work just fine if you know how to set them up and use them. The advantages over other heating methods are they they are relatively inexpensive to purchase and are easy to set up. The bulbs are also very inexpensive to replace. The main disadvantage is that they can be expensive to operate over time.
Studies have shown that the infra-red lighting actually makes chicks less aggressive toward each other, and chicks sleep just fine under the lighting. Chicks sleep a lot no matter what, especially during the first couple of weeks, and it doesn't matter if there is light present or not. I've always been amazed how chicks will synchronize their sleep and waking patterns almost immediately after a hatch. That instinctive flock behavior just kicks in all by itself. It's nothing short of amazing.
For my brooder set up, I use 100 gal. Steralite tubs from
Wal-Mart ($20 each) with the lamps suspended from stands that I made from old pallets. I aim the lamps down vertically (straight down). Temp is easy to control and adjust by either raising or lowering the lamp cord that's attached to the lamp, which is at one end of the tub. (I don't use the clips that the lamps come with at all.) Chicks will find the temperature sweet spot where they are comfortable. Usually after the first four weeks (after the chicks have feathered,) they are moved to brooder pens with no additional heat source. Since I live in the South, ambient temperatures usually aren't an issue, although there are days that they get additional heat in the winter and fan-aided ventilation in the summer.
The main thing about a heat source for your chicks is to find something that works for you. You can spend a lot of money if you choose, but you don't necessarily have to in order to have a nice set up that works. Also, I have used a heating pad as a heat source in the past, and it worked great; however, for me, the parabolic lamps are cheap and easy, so I use them. I could always run down to
TSC to pick up some more bulbs if I ever needed to do so, but I always keep plenty on hand, so that has never been a problem. Even if you opt for one of those super nice
Brinsea units, it's good to have a parabolic lamp and infra-red bulb ready as a backup. Even a Cadillac breaks down every now and then.
To keep this post on topic, I have a slight change in my H-A-L plans. Instead setting of a dozen lavender orpington eggs, I plan to set a dozen crele orpinginton eggs and a dozen silver-laced orpington eggs. I got a great deal from a local breeder on the silver-laced eggs, so I had to make the switch. I already have buff and chocolate orps, so if this hatch is successful, the new girls should be a nice addition to my orpington flock.
I just realized that my turner hasn't been plugged in since I started my first batch of eggs on the 7th!!! Those babies are in the hatcher now, but I'm not feeling too optimistic since they went 18 days without getting turned, unless you count when I took them out to candle them...I'm so angry at myself! And the other babies are on Day 9 now...I'm hoping they'll be ok. It'll be my first hatch of true Ameraucanas after getting my breeding pens set up at the beginning of the month.
