What is the BEST heat lamp for my $$???

[LilbitChicken]

Hello, I am new to the chicken family...and am confused on the endless list of different lamps used in the brooder.

WHAT WORKS BEST for you, and where did you buy it?

I appreciate all the help!!!!

 

[Slywoody]

RED

 

[vortec]

For me, I used the red 250W heat bulbs found at any TSC. The clear ones are fine as well but the red will be a little warmer. I used this and the brooders from the same store and they have worked great for my 31 birds, having now out grown the brooder. Hope I could help

vortec

 

[sloallie10]

how mch would a regular heat lamp cost??

 

[LilbitChicken]

OKAY!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

 

[ziggy]

I can tell you what I do not recommend. I had gotten a red reptile lamp at Petsmart and it only lasted 10 days before burning out. I was not able to find a red lamp over 25W at any of our local stores so I gave that a try. For $14.99 I am taking it back. My brooder is a large dog crate inside the house so the 250W was too much.

 

[Eric in NC]

Get a fixture with a dimmer (rheostat sp?) on the cord (available from petsmart, petco, etc.) and a red bulb sized to your brooder (small brooder - 100 watt, large brooder 250 watt) then you can use the dimmer knob to adjust heat down to the right level.

You want one with a ceramic bulb "base/holder" - not plastic!

 

[Young MacDonald]

I have a 250W bulb I got at TSC. It cost a few $, maybe $3. No bells or whistles, no dimmer or anything. I had a reflective metal base to screw it in that was laying around the garage - I think it was for working on cars.

We just keep an eye on the babies to see how they are behaving and adjust the height of the lamp accordingly by attaching to a higher-back chair or a lower one.

We have 6 babies that are 2 1/2 weeks old & haven't lost a chick yet.

It isn't even close to the top of the line, but if you want the most for your dollar, that's probably the way to go.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
2.59 at tsc for a 250watt clear... red was 9.50ish?!

 

[SimplyForties]

I got the 250W red heat lamp from TSC today. Stuck it over my brooder to check it (no chicks yet) and it was way too hot for my small brooder! Thank goodness there were no chicks in there! I also have a 100W red light that I'm going to try next.