What color of light to use?

[countrychick14]

Do you use a red light or a clear light in your brooder? Does it matter? What have been your experiences? Thanks!

 

[Anianna]

I use red because it is more calming for them and doesn't keep them up as much at night. I have read several sources that say chicks under white light will pick at each other more and not get as much sleep as those under red, but I've never tried white and can't really compare the two first hand. Comparing our red lamps to a white spotlight we have that holds the same kind of bulb, I would much rather use the red in a homey environment because the white just seems so glaring.

 

[countrychick14]

Thank you Anianna.

 

[Eggcessive]

I use the red 250 watt and haven't had any pecking problems. It is hot, though, after the first week when you are supposed to decrease the temp, so I keep raising it higher. I tried a regular light bulb and a yellow lower watt bulb, and the chicks got all excited and flying at each other, so I put the red one back on. Just wish you could find a 100 watt red one locally. I did see some online. They sleep better with the red, too. Many people write about pecking injuries on here, so I would spring for the red--they are not that expensive at the feed stores.

 

[carolinagirl58]

I bought the red 250 watt lights at Tractor supply and then realized my light fixtures were only rated for 150 watt bulbs. So I used what I had....white 150 watt heat lamps. I had no trouble at all with the chicks being too hot (and they were on the back porch, with plastic over the cages at nigh) and no pecking problems either.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Except for the rare times that it was cold enough I felt the need for a big 250w red bulb I've never used anything but frosted white, usually 125w. Never had a problem with them.

 

[LaurasLorps]

I use a white bulb, but have red tissue paper over the part of the brooder where the light is. I had read that red bulbs were better, but I could only fine a 250watt red heat bulb. It was expensive and I was afraid it would be too hot for the chicks (I only have 4, so I wasn't need to heat a huge space or a huge number of chicks). Anyway, I figured I would spend $1 on a pack of 100 watt bulbs and another $1 on red tissue paper.

It has worked great! I was concerned about it being a fire hazard, so I was constantly checking the paper/light the first few days. The paper hasn't gotten too hot (not any hotter than I imagine a hardware cloth gets under the light). My chicks haven't been picking at each other and seem to sleep very well.

I know this set-up may not work for everyone, but it has been great for me.

 

[Hoddenfarm]

I use clear bulbs and never had any problems

 

[Komaki]

Quote:
I have raised chickens for 40+ years. Red is all I have ever used. I would love to hear more about the advise you will get, because red is somewhat pricie here.

 

[JodyJo]

Red....the clear (white) light can over stimulate the chicks causing eating issues and also feather picking...red may be more, but worth it.