[Fifitrix]

As you know I'm looking to do things 'cheeply'.  So I have some chicks due to hatch next week from my incubator (borrowed) and I'm all set up with a indoor Guinea pig cage.

Someone on this forum kindly suggested that I could use one of those stretchy table lights for them and I've borrowed one of those too.

My dilema is that I can't find an infra-red bulb to fit inside it as it's quite small.

Any ideas?  I think I need an infra-red bulb as opposed to a normal one because they find the normal light distressing?

[Porffor]

you know i'm a novice, but would a fire bulb not work? the red type?
someone needs to comment on this idea! lol may just laugh me out of town.. i don't mind!

[richyrich7]

I've seen a small bulb in a tin used before now, they all give off heat ! We used a terracota plant pot with a light bulb in it when we did ours years ago , as you have a light fitting already can you get hold of a piece of metal and create a partition put it behind that, the heat will come through but the light wont. They will move close to the heat source if they get cold and move away if its too warm.

[Kate and her Ducks]

I used a normal lamp and that was fine. I did buy a heat lamp bulb as I had also heard that the light can be distressing to them. Kind of didn't register/subliminally ignored the bit about porcillin fittings (whats the difference after all) and it melted the fitting and I almost set fire to the brooder!!! - luckally without chicks in it. :oops:

[Fifitrix]

Thanks for your ideas.

This is the lamp I've got ...



Can you explain a bit more, Rob, about your idea for a metal protection from the bulb?

Or more ideas for how i could sheild them from the light without taking away the heat would be gratefully received.

Thanks so much    

[Kate and her Ducks]

Have to say the best investment I made was a good themometer. This way I could find out before hand if the lamp was enough to keep them warm and I could keep an eye on it as they grew and reduce accordingly. Odd its the thing I now wouldn't be without.

[Fifitrix]

Ah well I have a good themometre sitting in my incubator at the moment so I could use that.  So Kate you used a normal light and didn't find them appearing distressed?

[Kate and her Ducks]

Just used a usual light, set it up the day before and made sure that the temp was ok. They seemed completely happy, admittedly they are ducklings but I don't think there would be any difference with chicks but I'm not an expert.

[Fifitrix]

Well Kate that sounds great.  What was the temp by the way?  I don't think I've read that bit in my book yet!  :oops:

It says in the book that the signs of distress are that they start pecking each others feet.  Mind you I thought they did that at first anyway.    

[GrannieAnnie]

Munty only uses a normal 40w bulb if he ever needs to use a brooder and his chicks are always fine.  We use infra reds, but I've also  got  a dull emitter bulb which gives heat but not light, so when I use that, I also put an ordinary fireglow bulb on too for the first couple of weeks, then turn that one out and just keep the dull emitter bulb on until the chicks are 4-5 weeks old.

The only problem I can see with your borrowed lamp is that they are usually a screw fitting reflector bulb.  Would you be able to get a screw fitting red bulb?

What I did once in an emergency was to paint a normal bulb with red glass paint.

[Kate and her Ducks]

The book said start at 35C and reduce by approx 5C per week. Have to say that was too high for my ducklings but by all accounts they are much hardier than chicks, suppose thay must be given all that swimming they do with mum if nature has done its thing rather than an incubator. Best advice I got was to judge it by their behavior. If they are clumped together tightly under the lamp  shivering or cheeping loudly they are too cold. If they are spread out to the peripheries, hiding from the lamp or panting they are too hot. I combined this with the thermometer and it seemed to work really well.
Good luck with yours. Am expecting photos

[Fifitrix]

Well thank you all very much.  That's very helpful.  You're right the lamp is a screw bulb but hey I do have red glass paint.  Woo Hoo!  I think I'll start off trying that and then see how we go.  Expect more questions at somepoint .... and of course pics.      

[GrannieAnnie]

Good luck Fifi!!!!!!