What Wattage Heater is Best for Brooding Chicks?

by Bannister
(Hill End, Australia)

How do i know what wattage ceramic lamp I need for chickens....

What temperature do they need ? Help please....

MEG: THESE CERAMIC GLOBES GIVE OUT MORE HEAT THAN ORDINARY LIGHT BULBS AS NO ENERGY IS WASTED AS LIGHT.

60W SUITS UP TO 20 CHICKS AT THE ENCLOSED END OF A SMALL BROODER CAGE THAT IS KEPT IN A COSY PLACE (E.G. INDOORS). THE WIRE LAMPFRAME IS PERFECT FOR THIS USE (HEAT RADIATES IN ALL DIRECTIONS).

100 W SUITS MORE CHICKS IN A BIGGER BROODER. USE WIRE LAMPFRAME OR ALUMINIUM SHADE.

150W SUITS MORE CHICKEN IN A BIGGER/LESS COSY BROODER E.G. IN A BIG SHED/OUTDOORS ON THE PATIO (DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER). USE ALUMINIUM SHADE (HEAT IS DIRECTED DOWN).

YOU CAN USE A THERMOSTAT TO CONTROL THE TEMPERATURE OUTPUT BY TURNING THE GLOBE ON AND OFF TO SUIT E.G. 35 C FOR NEW CHICKS, 30C FOR OLDER CHICKS (2 WKS OLD0, THEN ONLY AT NIGHT BY 4 WKS OLD, THEN NOT AT ALL BY ABOUT 6 WEEKS OLD - ALL DEPENDING ON WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HOUSING.

WATCH THE CHICKS. THEY WILL POSITION THEMSELVES AT THE MOST COMFORTABLE TEMP BAND AROUND THE LAMP PROVIDED THEY CAN GET CLOSE ENOUGH - AND FAR ENOUGH AWAY - TO DO SO.