Heat sources for larger brooder in unheated building

[LaurelC]

We will be brooding ~45 chicks in a 3x8 galvanized tub (I have a second one I can employ if these get too crowded in the single and need an additional space before their mobile coop is completed). Last year we brooded ~52 chicks in another mobile coop inside our unheated shop building using two heat lamps, one of the heavy duty extra safe ones from Premier1, the other a cheap tractor supply light I got as a "backup" so if one failed we wouldn't be in an emergency situation to get a replacement.

This year, we're using the galvanized tub(s) and I'm doing a small batch of up to 11 chicks as a preliminary/test run of the setup and for this smaller group will also be employing a cheap heat plate a friend gave me as an alternate heat source. As I have no "good" way of changing the height of the lamps short of rigging up a holder for them, I've also purchased a deep heat projector bulb from amazon that I'd like to put in the cheaper metal fixture and place that lamp directly on the metal facing down into the brooder, and depending on whether this gives us adequate heat, it would allows us to give the chicks a day/night cycle more effectively, or at least give them the option to escape the constant red light(especially if I move the Premier light down to the other end of the brooder. I'm not finding hardly any information regarding using this type of heating element with chickens/in brooders, but tons of info on people using them in reptile cages. Has anyone used deep heat projectors in a brooder and what has your experience been?

Last year's setup

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Just my opinion, I'd never use that bulb on chicks and especially in a galvanized tub. I'm all about a high temp warm up when I first get them, but after that I make sure there is no risk of over heating. Just one advantage of that is no pasty butt issues, ever. I've seen reviews where people are holding lazer temp pointers showing 108* which is why that's great for reptiles and ends there. If you're spending money on heat, invest in another, large size heat plate would be my suggestion. Nothing wrong with having just 1 heat lamp + the plates.

 

[LaurelC]

Just my opinion, I'd never use that bulb on chicks and especially in a galvanized tub. I'm all about a high temp warm up when I first get them, but after that I make sure there is no risk of over heating. Just one advantage of that is no pasty butt issues, ever. I've seen reviews where people are holding lazer temp pointers showing 108* which is why that's great for reptiles and ends there. If you're spending money on heat, invest in another, large size heat plate would be my suggestion. Nothing wrong with having just 1 heat lamp + the plates.

When I initially asked about a heat plate with larger quantities of chicks in an unheated building last year the recommendations were that we were likely to see crushing issues with plates, so I'm not relying on a plate of any kind with a larger group. The instructions from the hatchery also specifically recommend against using a heat plate and call for the use of a lamp

In a larger brooder, isn't the benefit that the chicks are easily able to "escape" the heat? And my understanding of these deep heat projectors is that they become less intense the further you get from them? I'm of course open to other options and it's something I've never used, but I just assumed that someone must have used on in the past and might have experience with them. Specifically what about the galvanized tub would make you concerned about the use?

 

[aart]

these deep heat projectors

Please provide a link to this product?
Never heard of them.

3x8' is not large enough for ~50 chicks....at least not more than a day or two.

 

[LaurelC]

Please provide a link to this product?
Never heard of them.

3x8' is not large enough for ~50 chicks....at least not more than a day or two.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM1JMWPD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1


Thanks! When we brooded ~50 last spring they were in a ~5x8' enclosure and had plenty of space, so I'm expecting I may need to split them after a little while, but I'm hoping it's enough for at least a week while we get through the more fragile days, I only have one camera set aside to monitor livestock.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

3x8' is not large enough for ~50 chicks....at least not more than a day or two.

This is my thought exactly. What I picture here is what you see in Feed stores, 50 chicks in a galvanized horse water tanks, meant to be very temporary. You mentioned that you have 2. So split them between the 2 and you wont have crowding, crushing with 1 heat lamp and 1 large plate per tank.

 

[aart]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM1JMWPD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1


Thanks! When we brooded ~50 last spring they were in a ~5x8' enclosure and had plenty of space, so I'm expecting I may need to split them after a little while, but I'm hoping it's enough for at least a week while we get through the more fragile days, I only have one camera set aside to monitor livestock.

Never seen one of those before so don't now how it might work for chicks. Do some testing on heat out put and spread.
Might be a good idea to have some back up ready to go, for the lights and the space.