Old fashion heat lamp?

[Olivia9801]

We’re having a go at incubating after an eight year gap. Previously our heat source was the traditional heat lamp suspended on some string. I still have it and it works fine, but these heat plates seem all the rage now.

Is it still ok to use the heat lamp or not? And what are the advantages of the heat plate over the lamp?

Olivia9801

 

[Hen-Gen]

Does it also give out light? If so then that is a problem.

 

[Marigold]

Olivia, I’m not sure what you’re trying to do with your heat source. Do you mean what is the best way to heat chicks in a brooder, or are you trying to incubate eggs with an overhead lamp?

 

[Olivia9801]

Im referring to using the popular poultry heat lamp as a heat source for our hatched chicks.

 

[chrismahon]

The heat plates, or electric hens as they are also called, use an awful lot less electricity. But the chicks soon outgrow them and we ended up with two, one small and one large with adjustable height feet. Then you will need to go back to a lamp anyway. We use a red lamp to start (first few days), then the plates, then a lamp with a ceramic bulb (no light) up to several weeks, depending on the weather.

 

[Marigold]

The advantage of the ceramic lamp is that it heats the whole brooder. I found that in cold days my quail chicks clustered under the electric hen and thus were less able to run around and feed. But you do have to be able to adjust the height, to make sure it’s warm enough at night but not too hot in the daytime. They need a large enough brooder to be able to find cooler areas if it gets too hot for them.
Definitely invest in a ceramic lamp. Not only does it save on power but it gives then natural light in the day and darkness at night, thus training their natural rhythms.

 

[Hen-Gen]

Each to their own. I’ve never used a lamp in my life and am a great advocate of electric hens. They mimic the gentle heat of a broody hen and give the chicks the security of being under something and therefore protected. Because I always hatch at this time of year when Summer warmth is close! then by four weeks the hatchlings are off heat.