what type of bulb do I need for my brooder?

[daniellenoel]

I have an 8 1/2 inch clamp light and a 125 watt heat light bulb. Is this too high??? Does anyone have a recommendation?
I am getting ready to take the some of my chicks out of the incubator and into the brooder.
Thanks

 

[jvls1942]

a lot of variables here.. that is not too much as long as the chicks can get out from under it to cool off..
you can also use regular bulbs..

turn it on for awhile and use a thermometer on the bedding to check how hot it is.. or just place your hand down there.. If it feels hot to the back of your hand, it is too hot.. raise the light unit up higher.. usually 16 inches is as high as you need to go..

I start all of my poultry at 80F to 85F and leave it right there.. they can move away or go under or stop anywhere in between.. they soon learn where they are comfortable..

place the food and water in the coolest spot.. they will be forced to leave the heat and when they go back to the heat, they will stop where it feels best for them..

clucks and their chicks run around outside in temps as low as 40F.. It does not hurt the chicks, as long as they can dive under the cluck about every half hour or so..

 

[daniellenoel]

great thanks.
We are getting ready to take some of the chicks out and put in the brooder. How long should we have the lamp on before we put them in?
Thanks

 

[patandchickens]

Depends totally on the temperature of the room, and how high above the chicks the bulb is hung.

To give you one data point, in my 52 F basement, for day old chicks in a brooder with no top and 1.5' high walls, I start them with a 175w bulb about 16-18" above the floor, and go on from there (raising bulb and/or lowering wattage as they get older)

READ YOUR LIGHT FIXTURE'S LABEL, it will tell you what's the highest wattage bulb you can use in it. Clamp-type lights often have a maximum of 60 or 100 watts, but go by whatever your label says. DO NOT EXCEED the labelled wattage unless you want fire engines and insurance claims.

Usually you want to have the brooder light on for 12-24 hrs before putting chicks in, to let the bedding etc thoroughly warm up.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat