Do I need a red light?

[Heymac08]

I purchased this brooder in anticipation for 2-3 week old chicks... do I also need to buy a red bulb for the area? If so, can I buy one that is not hot?

Brinsea Ecoglow 20 Safety 600 Brooder for Chicks Or Ducklings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NJZM1F5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZH9xFb0SNHQVM

 

[HappyClucker7]

The chicks will need a heat source. You can buy a heat lamp, or you can use something else, like a heating plate.

 

[PioneerChicks]

The chicks will need a source of heat. I have heard that heating plates work well, but the most popular option is heat lamps. Heat lamps can be the original white or red. Red is supposed to keep them from pecking each other because if one of them bleeds the others cannot tell but I believe that is only necessary with large batches of chicks. I most often use white lights.

 

[poultryprofessor]

No need for a heat lamp if you are using a brooder plate like that. You will just need a generic light bulb so they can see. It can be white - no need for red.

 

[Heymac08]

No need for a heat lamp if you are using a brooder plate like that. You will just need a generic light bulb so they can see. It can be white - no need for red.

Does the light need to be on at all times?

 

[poultryprofessor]

Does the light need to be on at all times?

No. There are a lot of different lighting programs people use for different reasons, but no one recommends 24/7 light anymore. I recommend leaving lights on for 16 to 20 hours/day. Aim towards the longer time when they are super little (they don't eat in the dark), and you can go with shorter days as they get older.

 

[Cindy in PA]

No. There are a lot of different lighting programs people use for different reasons, but no one recommends 24/7 light anymore. I recommend leaving lights on for 16 to 20 hours/day. Aim towards the longer time when they are super little (they don't eat in the dark), and you can go with shorter days as they get older.

Never heard this before. Chicks don't eat at night when they are with a hen, so is this really necessary? Brooding chicks in the coop right now & they have 14 1/2 hours of light & going down. They are 3 weeks old tomorrow & seem to be doing okay.

 

[poultryprofessor]

Never heard this before. Chicks don't eat at night when they are with a hen, so is this really necessary? Brooding chicks in the coop right now & they have 14 1/2 hours of light & going down. They are 3 weeks old tomorrow & seem to be doing okay.

Chicks are adaptable and I'm sure yours are fine. My day length recommendations are just guidelines, but chicks can obviously do just fine with natural lighting. The longer day length (while still providing a dark period) can enhance growth, but that isn't always a goal.

 

[ladylinoleum]

I purchased this brooder in anticipation for 2-3 week old chicks... do I also need to buy a red bulb for the area? If so, can I buy one that is not hot?

Brinsea Ecoglow 20 Safety 600 Brooder for Chicks Or Ducklings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NJZM1F5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZH9xFb0SNHQVM

I bought this booder for my chicks. I leave the ceiling lamp on above their brooding area about 15 hours a day. They are doing great. This brooder is working much better for us than the red heat lamp. I had a lot of trouble keeping that area regulated with our AC running. The brooding plate is much more effective and the chicks seem to love it.

 

[Flockincrazy]

most people have been getting heating plates im old school and like the bulbs if I can ask why are you worried about it heating up or being hot