Work Light for heat

[vatterpa]

Has anyone tried to use a worklight as the brooder heat source? I have more chicks coming next Monday or Tuesday and I need to have another brooder lamp. I could use the one I have now for the new chicks, but my older chicks now are only 3 weeks at most, so they still need one too. Do you think I could use a worklight for the older ones and use the brooder lamp for the newbies? The older ones have feathers on their wings and on their backs, if that makes a difference.

 

[teach1rusl]

Test it to see. Place a thermometer below it and see if you can maintain around 80-85 degrees. Of course the red bulbs are still better for night time.

 

[chikkinlittlesc]

I use the clip-on work lights with a 100W bulb for the first week. Each week, I decrease the bulb wattage until they are fully feathered. Once they are fully feathered and the temps at night are above 50, I put them in a pen in the barn. Depending on the breed, they may have a light at night for another week or so once they are outside. I have been raising chicks for 8 years this way and have never had any problems. I use the long deep Rubbermaid totes. My husband cuts squares in the tops and puts screen on both ends. The light sits on one end and the chicks can go to the other end when they don't need heat. I line the bottom with pine shavings or play sand. It is not very expensive and also easy to clean.