[gracie]

I have been given a heat lamp but it has a white bulb, do I have to change it for a red one so it isn't so bright. Don't want to do any damage to the chicks eyes

[GrannieAnnie]

I've always used a red lamp gracie, and also the deramic dull emitters which are lower on energy use, but are only heat, no light.

I know some people use white light, but I think it is too harsh for young chicks.

[gracie]

Thanks for confirming what I thought. Will have to hunt down a bulb now but I have the weekend to do it

[GrannieAnnie]

Once, in an emergency, I actually painted a white bulb red with glass paint!!!!   

[gracie]

Ooh the paint could be a cheap option I could check it was heat resistant. The lamp is quite large so the bulb will prob be pricey. I am now going to get a bigger.box so they have room to get away from the heat if required

[GrannieAnnie]

Is the red lamp an infra red gracie?  if so, does it say the wattage?  Mine are 150 watts and 250 watts, but they are too big to use with a box.  What size box are we talking about, and how many chicks?

[gracie]

It's a 250, think maybe I will look to get a lower watt bulb. Hopefully chicks will hatch tomorrow and I will have them the end of next week. I was going to use a plastic storage box but I am open to suggestions.

[Squiggly]

Could I jump in on this question too please?
I have chickens but this is my first time raising chicks, we will be getting day old chicks and I have a large indoor rabbit/guinea pig cage but am trying to find a heat lamp, Ive seen people saying they just use a red bulb in a metal shade but I can't find out where people are getting these metal shades from! Or do I need to spend out and get a proper heat lamp?

Ill only be having about 5 chicks

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Squiggly, I bought mine from Wilkinsons for £5.  ordinary fireglow or red bulb in it, just using an ordinary lightbulb holder.

This is one of my little set ups.  and a pic of the brooder made from an old kitchen wall cupboard!

[GrannieAnnie]

It's a 250, think maybe I will look to get a lower watt bulb. Hopefully chicks will hatch tomorrow and I will have them the end of next week. I was going to use a plastic storage box but I am open to suggestions.

That's going to be hot gracie!  The 250 watt bulb I use for around 50 chicks in my little brooder shed!  in this photo, I've got 2 bulbs ready for over 100 chicks in a 14 x 4 shed.

Why not try something like I put on before,  and save the lamp for when you get more chicks?

But then someone will come along and disagree with me!   :blink:

[gracie]

No I'm with you Grannieannie, it's just an ordinary screw lamp fitting so think I will change that for a fireglow bulb. Live your set up, its made me realise I am panicking a bit too much. Other than the bulb I do think I am more than prepared now. Cant wait to get to work tomorrow to see if there is any movement. Hopefully I will be posting photos tomorrow

[GrannieAnnie]

look forward to the pics gracie!  Good luck!

[hillfooter]

Use the Philips IR lamps I've found these very long lasting and far more robust than the usual Ruby Red lamps which are very likely to fail if knocked when hot.  The Philips ones are very resistant to shock.  Try to use two in case of one failing.  An ordinary ligt bulb with ES cap will do in an emergency.

http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/acatalog/150w_Infrared_Heat_Lamp_Bulb___Ruby_Red.html

HF

[Dominic]

my 40w reflector bulb is more than enough to keep my four chooks toasty, in a couple of weeks, I'm swapping it for a 20w energy saver....