Brooder heat lamp problem - where to put it?

[Anonymous]

Hi all, yet another question I'm afraid! :roll:

We've now decided to get young chicks instead of incubating some eggs so we need to sort a brooder out. We have a large indoor rabbit cage which I was hoping would be alright to use. I have a heat lamp on the way as well.

My only real problem is that I'm not sure how to have the heat lamp hanging over the cage, any ideas?

Thank you once again, Ria

 

[snifter]

They should supply a chain with it also. Long one, you then hang it from a hook on the ceiling and have it at the correct height for the birds as they grow. Lower to start, then gradually higher as their feathering comes through.

How to tell if its too high or low over the chicks? If they are all sat huddled up together in the middle of the cage, right under the heat lamp, they are cold and it needs to be a bit lower. If they are all around the edges and spaced apart and as far away from the heatlamps glow, then its too low and they are too hot.

It might take a while to find the balance. Ensure you monitor it closely from when they arrive so as to get it sorted before going to bed for the night, the first night.

 

[snifter]

I also keep mine when indoors under a lamp at wasit height and so have them out of drafts at floor level. Hence the chain being plenty long enough. If its on the floor you may need to go to a hardware store and buy a longer piece.

 

[Anonymous]

This one doesn't come with a chain (ebay bargain) but I can always get some from B&Q. My only problem is my 2 year old son, I know he'll be far too keen to play with something hanging from the ceiling! :roll:

 

[snifter]

Probably going to have to put the cage on a higher surface so its all out of his way.

Hope it all works out ok for you

 

[Davidd]

Hello, if they are going to be indoors, then have you got an angle-poise lamp? I use one with a 100w bulb (the old fashioned bulbs-not the energy saving ones)and it works fine for a few chicks- easily adjustable up or down for correct temp and less heat than a heat lamp- especially if you have got no where to hang it. Failing that can you not make some sort of tripod and hang the heat lamp from that? You can buy the proper tripods- Ebay i think !
regards, David