[nicsastar]

hi all  ive just got my first 6 hatching eggs and im making  a brooder for them once they hatch  and was wondering  if i need a heat bulb or will a normal bulb do? also ive looked up and most sites say a 60 watt heat bulb will be fine  but im finding it hard to find one as they all seem to be 150 or 250 watt .any advice would be great as i  dont no what to do for the best and i would like the best hatch rate possible                      ( errrr  ummm obviously that was a stupid statement sorry  )  thanks  nic

[Vember]

Hi Nic

I only hatch small numbers and I use a basic red coloured bulb works fine for me  

Suppose it depends on the area of your brooder?

When I had the ducklings in a large plastic storage container thingy last year I used 2 clip on lights (with red bulbs in) on each end, it worked a treat 


Sarah

[meterman]

Buy a 150 or 250W depending on size of brooder and connect via dimmer switch

[Paddywack]

Hi nicsastar

Also depends where you are keeping the brooder, inside the house or in a out building.

The chicks need a temp of 37c for the first week, buy the bulb that will do the job and sum, you dont want to get up one morning and find your chicks died of cold over night

and good luck with the incubation

[nicsastar]

the brooder will be indoors and is about 3 ft x 1 ft also do you think due to the size i will need 2 bulbs to heat it properly ? or will the 150 watt heat bulb be ok as its quite large  thanks again to all who have replied and looked  nic

[Sarah Mitchell]

Hi

Not sure if this helps but this is what I do...

I've got a 250 watt bulb as this is all I could get so I put a thermometer in the brooder and adjusted the height of the bulb till the temp was right at chick level.  I then increase the buld height over the weeks to reduce the temp.  I put the bulb over one end of the brooder so they can get away from the heat if they want too - which they willas they get older.  This is like them being able to go under mummy hen 'in the wild'.  Guess I should get a dimmer thingy but haven't got round to it yet.  The 250 watt bulb is powerful and keeps them warm/ at an even temp in my barn even when its very cold outside.

Sarah