Heat light ??

[NatashaRodriguez]

I have 13 chicks. Their from 3 months to a couple of days old. Is this light gonna harm them in anyway ??

 

[AllenK RGV]

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...ncandescent-r40-red-heat-lamp-reflector?rfk=1 lists them as a 4 dollar item. So at 10.50 I think its hurting your wallet. Have a local feed store nearby?

 

[NatashaRodriguez]

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...ncandescent-r40-red-heat-lamp-reflector?rfk=1 lists them as a 4 dollar item. So at 10.50 I think its hurting your wallet. Have a local feed store nearby?

Lol that was funny XD I have to check my local feed store then

 

[Hens_for_Eggs]

No harm will come to chicks if the heating lamp is at the correct heat/distance.
spread throughout brooder= Perfect
Huddling in cooler sections= Too hot
Huddling under lamp= Too cold
This is also a helpful website:
https://www.nutrenaworld.com/blog/heat-lamps-for-chicks
Good Luck!

 

[AllenK RGV]

Lol that was funny XD I have to check my local feed store then

Also I was thinking unless you are above 1000ft they can huddle for warmth and might really not need a heat lamp vs a simple huddle box since Puerto Rico has such a mild climate below those areas. 250w light might just be excessive and a waste of expensive electricity. Another option if you have a heat pad already is to rig that up inside a huddle box on the low setting.

Edit-- thoughts on a heating pad it cannot have an autoshutoff option. Some turn off automatically after 2-4 hours.

 

[NatashaRodriguez]

Also I was thinking unless you are above 1000ft they can huddle for warmth and might really not need a heat lamp vs a simple huddle box since Puerto Rico has such a mild climate below those areas. 250w light might just be excessive and a waste of expensive electricity. Another option if you have a heat pad already is to rig that up inside a huddle box on the low setting.

Edit-- thoughts on a heating pad it cannot have an autoshutoff option. Some turn off automatically after 2-4 hours.

Does this work?

 

[AllenK RGV]

I was thinking a cheap one like you would use on your aching back, those cost 15 tops. I am a cheapie. But with you thinking they need heat and having the chicks now, give them a small box for right now with an entry and exit point and sealed otherwise that they can huddle together in to share their body heat, place that box in your brooder. If they never seem to leave that small box then they will need additional heat. At that point I would figure out how I want to provide supplemental heating.

Otherwise that $50 one would probably be great if you could source it today I doubt any walmart keeps those in stock and there would be shipping delays.

If you are near Ponce or San Juan or any of the lowlying regions of PR I don't think you need heat personally.

 

[chickenmeadow]

edited: My area in Oregon, USA is often cold. Just learned that it is now much warmer in Puerto Rico, to my brooder set-up would not be appropriate for that situation.

With the age difference of 3 mths to 2 days old they may not want to hang out close to each, to nurture & warm the young ones. I always try to be prepared for the worse, sounds like you are thinking about the little ones already (they need a very warm spot to get under as they chill & then move away from when they get warm, they choose). It's hard to tell what the details are for the bulb you show, but there's a current article here on the BYC about PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene toxicity in chickens . It's a good article that warns not to use heat lamp bulbs, heating pads, etc.; bulbs that claim to be shatterproof, those are the bad ones. I've never had a problem with using heat lamps for the chickies, but am on my way down to look at my bulbs for shatterproof or PTFE... on the label, bulb & boxes.

Here's my brooder, it's easy to assemble, clean & put away after use, it helps keep drafts out too, but still allows for ventilation. These 3 Speckled Sussex pullets were picked up 2 days ago & would not have done well at all without this set-up. It's winter here in Oregon, USA & the brooder & heat is still needed at this age even in summer months with all of my experiences. Just in case you didn't know (you probably do though): The bulb is in a fixture designed for it from the feed store) & is hanging here from a hook (they make clamps for them too, that I can clamp to the tote), the wire mesh lid also stops the chance of it falling in or getting too close, the bulb does not melt anything in this set-up.

I'm looking forward to your pics of the chickens/chicks that you get. Sounds like lots of fun. Best wishes.

 

[chickenmeadow]

Does this work?
View attachment 1269057

Those are nice with something over it to keep it clean. It may come in useful again in the future also, maybe for a egg bound hen or recovering chicken. Best wishes.

 

[AllenK RGV]

With the age difference of 3 mths to 2 days old they may not want to hang out close to each, to nurture & warm the young ones. I always try to be prepared for the worse, sounds like you are thinking about the little ones already (they need a very warm spot to get under as they chill & then move away from when they get warm, they choose). It's hard to tell what the details are for the bulb you show, but there's a current article here on the BYC about PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene toxicity in chickens . It's a good article that warns not to use heat lamp bulbs, heating pads, etc.; bulbs that claim to be shatterproof, those are the bad ones. I've never had a problem with using heat lamps for the chickies, but am on my way down to look at my bulbs for shatterproof or PTFE... on the label, bulb & boxes.

Here's my brooder, it's easy to assemble, clean & put away after use, it helps keep drafts out too, but still allows for ventilation. These 3 Speckled Sussex pullets were picked up 2 days ago & would not have done well at all without this set-up. It's winter here in Oregon, USA & the brooder & heat is still needed at this age even in summer months with all of my experiences. Just in case you didn't know (you probably do though): The bulb is in a fixture designed for it from the feed store) & is hanging here from a hook (they make clamps for them too, that I can clamp to the tote), the wire mesh lid also stops the chance of it falling in or getting too close, the bulb does not melt anything in this set-up.

I'm looking forward to your pics of the chickens/chicks that you get. Sounds like lots of fun. Best wishes.View attachment 1269058

If these are like todays temps in San Juan I vote no heat required with a 250w light in a small plastic tub unless you like em extra tender from the slow cooker! Not trying to be hostile at all, just a realist.