What kind of bulb should I use for my brooder?

[metalman488]

i've been using a red flood light bulb, but I busted it this morning :/ so I found a white one that I had lying around because I was going to be late for school. I know that red is better than white, but I'm wondering if the white will work for now. It does produce heat and Here's a link to a bulb just like it: www.walmart.com/ip/Clear-Incandescent-Refelctor-Indoor-Outdoor-Flood-Light-Lamp-150-Watt/29747286
and I saw a red one online that's kind of like it only read and I was wondering if it would work. Here's the link: www.walmart.com/ip/Red-Incandescent-Refelctor-Indoor-Outdoor-Flood-Light-Lamp-100-Watt/29748235 Will that work? Also the chicks are in a cage inside the house and there are 9 of them.

 

[rickerra]

Should be just fine. Adjust the lamp height based on how the chicks react. All piled on top of each other directly under the light... too cold... lower the lamp. Spread out to the far corners of the brooder away from the light... too hot... raise the lamp.

I have 8 chicks in a 5ft x 5ft brooder (in the 55 deg basement)... using a single 150w white bulb (similar to yours) and it is working just fine. Chicks are healthy and happy and growing like weeds. They are 3 weeks old now and their big bird feathers are coming in.

Cheers!

 

[metalman488]

Okay well do you think the red one will be good too? I prefer red light because I heard that it's more soothing for the chicks than the harsh white light.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

I have only used the white flood light bulbs or a 150 watt bulb .. worked well for years.

 

[aart]

I just used white 60 to 100 watt bulbs in the past with a dimmer extension cord to adjust heat output...save some money on electricity.

You can get red various wattage bulbs for reptiles at a pet store or online. I just got a 60 watt ceramic heat emitter that fits into the heat lamp fixture.... so no light at all.

Lots of options other than the megawatt 'heat' bulbs. A lot of brooders are too small for such a large wattage bulb.