Type of lightbulb for coop?

[bawkbawk]

Our chicks are 5 weeks old and moved this week from the brooder to the coop outside. They seem to be loving all the fresh air (and bugs!).

Temperatures in the daytime are in the 70-80 range, but it goes down as low as 40s at night. We have a 75 watt bulb on in the coop, and they seem warm enough, but I'm wondering if all the light bothers them (it's so bright, I think it would make me crazy!).

The infrared heat lamp that we were using in the brooder seems like it would be too much. Has anyone tried one of the 40-60 watt bulbs that are used for reptiles? I was thinking that it would provide enough heat for them to stay warm till they are fully feathered out and would be a good back-up for when the winter nights get super cold, but the red light wouldn't be so harsh, and would let them develop day/night cycles (which seem to be disturbed from the sounds of chicken-partying going on in there at all hours now...).

thanks!

 

[Jenski]

I have used the 60 and 75 W red reptile bulbs in my brooders, and I was happy with them.

I also use remote thermometers in my coops and brooders just to be sure about the temps.

Good luck!

 

[bawkbawk]

Thanks!

I think I will get a remote thermometer--that way I don't have to be climbing up on a chair to look in the window in the middle of the night to make sure everyone seems comfortable!