[bedifferent]

When chicks are in the brooder do you think it would be ok to put a standard red bulb in a normal fitting to keep them warm?? Or do i have to buy a specialist bit of kit?

[GrannieAnnie]

How many chicks, and where is your brooder Bedifferent?

I do use an infra red for the first couple of weeks, but now the chicks are under a dull emitter which just gives heat not light, but they are out in the shed and its still very cold.  But they get plenty of daylight too!

Anna and Munty had an ordinary light bulb at first, but as their chicks were in the lounge, it was lovely and warm, so after a couple of days the light came out and they were still like bits of toast

I always thought you had to have red light, and when my Amberlinks pullets went down the big house, they had a red light for a while as they wouldn't go in the house at night, but then I found they went in better when the light was off!

[Bodger]

If the chicks huddle up in a tight bunch under the lamp, then they are not getting enough heat, if on the other hand, they head for the corners then its too hot. You want the chicks to spread themselves out fairly evenly in the brooder. If they are doing this, then you've got things just about right.