50 watt bulb?

[Birdman18]

Hi,
I bought a 50 watt red light bulb a few weeks ago while I'm incubating eggs and just wanted to know, If this light bulb would be warm enough for my chicks that soon will hatch in about a week?
I tried putting the light on and it does feel warm to me, maybe I will just have to put the light a little closer to where the chicks are then for a higher wattage light bulb.


Thank you!

 

[ECBW]

That is a smart move because you really don't need 250W for a small group. Raise and lower to control the heat reaching the chicks. Watch how the chicks react. They should come and go within the confine of the heat lamp.

Is it a flood lamp type? It would be even better because the coating would actually deflect the heat down to the chicks.

 

[RonC]

You can purchase a clamp on light fixture with a reflector at Home Depot or Lowes. They even sell large and small ones.It will concentrate the heat into a smaller area and you don't need to heat the whole brooder. Just give an area to warm up and sleep in. Maybe even put a piece of hardware cloth or chicken wire so they can't touch the bulb. Even a 50 watt bulb gets hot enough to start a fire so keep it away from anything flamable and mount it securely.

 

[Birdman18]

Hi,
Thanks so much guys for replying!
I didn't think 50 watts would provide enough heat for all the chicks thats why I asked first. In the past I've always used a 100 watt bulb and thought it had to be at least 100 watts. Yes, I do have that alum. clamp to put the light bulb into then plug it in. I always hang it above the brooder then depending if I need the area warmer or cooler I'll lower it to place the clamp higher. Yes I myself can't stress enough being careful with securing the lamp well. I have had a time in the past when the lamp accidently feel and landed on the chicks, its scary to think what can happen. I don't want to take any chances with light bulbs starting fire either.
It is much better to be very safe than sorry.
And yes ECBW, the light bulb is a flood lamp type.

Thanks Again
I greatly appreciate it!!

 

[cva34]

Put your thermometer where the chicks will be. And see what kind of temp you get and adjust up/down (height ) higher watts/lower watts (bulb)..It all depends on area size your trying to heat and the ambient temp.Here we are pretty mild sometimes for a few chics I can get away with 25 watts or less.I seldom use red (not that there bad ) just too expensive.I see little difference unless your having a picking problem.Then I get out the RED ...cva34