What wattage should I get for 16 chicks??

[Willow's Meadow]

I could only find red heat lamps with a 250 watts at TSC. Should I get a lower wattage for 16 chicks? Should I buy reptile heat lamps at a pet store?

 

[GermanChick]

I guess it depends on the size of your brooder and how high you mount the lamp. I have a 3 x 5 brooder for my 16 chicks and use a 250W red infrared heat lamp. It works great for me, chicks are happy and healthy. They have plenty of space to move around and pick the temperature they like, I think that is the most important part .

You can see the lamp is mounted inside the brooder and fairly close but with enough space it works perfect.

 

[tigerkitten45]

We are currently using the 150 watt red heat bulbs that are sold at our local pet store as reptile bulbs and they work great, good for a small space or a small amount of chickens!

 

[Willow's Meadow]

but what about for 16 chicks??????????????

 

[booker81]

I got a 85W red light at WalMart, in the lightbulb section, by the landscape lights (they had white and green too). I like it because it was warm enough for my 12 chicks, but the metal lamp part doesn't get hot enough to the touch to burn my every inquisitive 2 y/o daughter. I had to work on making her not touch the light, but I wanted to make sure that if she was naughty and did, it wouldn't be bad.

I had it right on the top of the brooder, which kept it at 95, and have been gradually raising it. The chicks sleep all over, sometimes under, sometimes on the sides, and they seem to have been quite happy - as have I

 

[cow_girl]

it probably depends on where your keeping your chicks.. are they inside or outside... I have a 175W Red bulb for 18 chicks and 2 baby pekins... they are outside in my shop.. where its pretty cold at night but there doing great... I had a 250W white bulb and it gave me the same temp as the 175 W red bulb I now have.. ( I switched to Red to prevent pecking and all they had was 175W Red..although I would have prefered a 250W Red Bulb )... also... dont buy a light at a reptile store, it will be over priced!... go to TSC or support your local Co-op and pick one up there...the 250W will be fine...