What watt for a heating light?

[Birdcrazy]

Hi everyone, I'm planning to make a sturdy lasting brooder for new chicks or ducklings- one thats neat and nice. I usually use a broody hen/duck etc
Which watt light bulb should I buy for the heating? Its currently summer here and they'll be brooded inside
I was also wondering if there are any wood I should avoid?
Thanks for any help

 

[thechickonthehill]

Quote:
Don't use treated wood for your brooder. I just used pine for my outside one and a big plastic tote for my inside one. If your brooder is going to be inside, you will be fine with a 150 watt heat lamp bulb. I prefer the red ones myself - the chicks seem to do less picking at each other. Here are pics of my inside brooder:

 

[Birdcrazy]

Oh awesome, thanks heaps for the pics

neat little set up!
150 watts, got it written down, and I'm pretty sure I saw red coloured ones in the shop today

 

[imthedude]

i use a clear 100 w bulb in my brooder. my inside tub is similar to the one above only with an old window screen over the top. i tried a 60w over the weekend since the girls have gotten bigger, but it wasn't quite strong enough as they were huddled underneath it most of the time. i would think anything hotter than 150 would be too warm in a small brooder unless you had very good ventilation on the sides and top to let that hot air escape.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

Quote:
Don't use treated wood for your brooder. I just used pine for my outside one and a big plastic tote for my inside one. If your brooder is going to be inside, you will be fine with a 150 watt heat lamp bulb. I prefer the red ones myself - the chicks seem to do less picking at each other. Here are pics of my inside brooder:

http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww265/pbroner/Chicken Housing/Brooder1.jpg
http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww265/pbroner/Chicken Housing/Brooder2.jpghttp://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww265/pbroner/Chicken Housing/Brooder3.jpg

nice brooder, but you might want to block the side screen for the first few days to keep out the draft, so your new chicks don't catch a chill

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

The bulb wattage doesn't matter. I use 60w. Adjust the light up or down, until it gets about 95 degrees under it. The next week, raise it until it's 90 degrees under it. The next week raise until 85 degrees, etc. Just give the chicks room to move away from the heat if they get too hot.

 

[Birdcrazy]

Thanks everyone

I think I'll get a thermometer to put on the side, but since its usually pretty hot here I don't think they'll need the light much, so I'll make sure there is plenty of room away from the heat!

 

[dianaross77]

You could also try a lamp dimmer. You can plug whatever light you get into it and adjust the intensity instead of moving the bulb. I have one and it works great because we have the furnace set 8 degrees lower at night when we sleep. It would be a real hassle to have to move it twice a day. I have a weather station with an extra wireless sensor. I just leave the remote sensor in the brooder and keep the display with me. That way I can check the temp while I'm supposed to be sleeping!

eta: missing words!duh.