Chicken heating lamp: the best options, which one to choose, features of red and ceramic

Chickens and chicks require the right temperature for normal development. Providing it in winter can be quite difficult. To insulate the chicken coop, many farmers use improvised means - plywood, sawdust, chipboard. However, in regions with a harsh climate, this may not be enough. In such a situation, special lamps are often used to heat chickens. They maintain the right temperature and ensure the normal development of the chicks.

What is it?

The device is an ordinary light bulb. It is screwed into an E27 ceramic cartridge. The glass flask is transparent or dyed blue or red. Inside there is a tungsten filament. It is located in a flask with an argon-nitrogen mixture.

These lamps have a specific radiation. It does not affect the entire room, but objects that are nearby. In contact with them, infrared rays are absorbed, after which they are transformed into thermal energy. It does not take much time to heat up - heat is felt immediately when the lamp is turned on.

Types of infrared heating lamps

There are several options for lamps that are used to heat broilers. They allow you to store heat due to strong incandescence. Common varieties of infrared lamps include the following:

R lamps. They differ in the simplest design and are made of ordinary glass. There is a glossy part on top that transmits light. It is connected to a reflector that is coated with reflective paint on the inside.
BR lamps. They are characterized by a convex reflector. It is coated with reflective paint. The part that transmits light is connected to the reflector. It is made from ordinary glass. This item comes in matte, glossy or honeycomb.
PAR lamps. They are characterized by a parabolic reflector with a precisely fitted shape. There is an aluminum layer on top, which provides better reflection and focusing of light. These lamps are shorter in length, allowing for a deeper fixation in the lampshade.
Ceramic lamps. The main feature of such lamps is the absence of light when heated. This is important when it is necessary to heat the birds in the absence of lighting. Devices are made of refractory material. It is highly durable and can withstand water easily.

Basic rules of use

To control the temperature, you should use a thermometer. Newborn chicks require a high temperature - 35-37 degrees. Subsequently, it is recommended to reduce it by 1-2 degrees. At 9 weeks, chicks feel comfortable at 18-21 degrees.

To adjust the temperature, you can remove or bring the lamp closer to objects.To choose the lamp power, you should focus on this ratio: 1 kilowatt of energy is required per 10 square meters. If the temperature in a room without heating is 10 degrees, 1 600-watt bulb will be required per 10 square meters.

Equally important is the distance at which it is worth placing the heat source. At first, this is done at a distance of 30-40 centimeters from the chicks. After some time, the temperature is measured. If it exceeds 37 degrees, the heat source is moved higher.

You should have 2 lamps in your arsenal. If one deteriorates, it should be replaced in a timely manner. This will help keep the chicks he althy.

Working principle

During the operation of the lamp, electrical energy is transformed into infrared radiation. The design is completely safe. The glass flask is made of thick glass, which provides protection against water and impacts.

A special reflective material is applied to the inside of the glass. Thanks to this, it is possible to direct heat and light to the chicks. In a brooder, it is best to put a few light bulbs, as they can burn out. If the chickens are left without heat, this will lead to their death.

Light mode

Length of daylight is very important when breeding chicks. With proper selection of lighting, it is possible to regulate the activity of chickens. It is important that the temperature in the house is high on the first day. Different lamps are used for the aviary.

In the first weeks, the chicken coop where the chickens are kept is unevenly lit. In the area of drinkers and feeders create a zone of wakefulness. This area is constantly illuminated. Above it are lamps with reflectors with a power of 15-20 watts. Chicks should sleep in semi-darkness.

Scientists say that in the first 3 weeks of life, birds need constant lighting. It provokes increased activity and muscle growth.

Subsequently, constant exposure to light inhibits the development of birds. Therefore, it is recommended to illuminate the house in an intermittent way.

Chicken behavior

The correct placement of the chicks can be determined by their behavior. With sufficient activity of the chicks, good appetite and normal water intake, we can talk about worthy conditions for their keeping.

Clumped together

If there is a lack of heat, the chicks huddle together. They are located closer to heat sources and try to keep warm. As a result, there is a risk of injury. Under an impressive mass of birds, there is a risk of death of chicks.

Spreading around

If the chicks try to crawl in different directions and avoid contact with each other, this indicates an increased temperature.

In this situation, there is heavy breathing and lethargic behavior. Therefore, it is worth placing the heat source higher.

The benefits of using lamps as heaters

Heating your brooder with an infrared lamp has many benefits:

promotes drying of bedding;
maintains normal humidity parameters by evaporating moisture;
beneficially affects the nervous system of chicks, reduces their aggressiveness and reduces stress parameters;
provides soft lighting that won't irritate chicks;
normalizes the functioning of the digestive system, including improved appetite and absorption of feed;
ensures the proper development of chicks and strengthens the immune system.

Other heaters

You can heat a chicken coop not only with lamps. Other types of infrared devices are also used for this purpose. They are divided into the following categories:

spotlights;
plafond lamps;
lamps.

How to organize a brooder?

The use of cardboard boxes for raising chickens is considered far from the best solution. They get wet quickly, there is no ventilation inside, and there are problems with high-quality cleaning and disinfection.

In this situation it is recommended to use a brooder. It is a house for chicks, which has the appropriate equipment and is designed for breeding young animals.

To achieve good results, the brooder must meet the following requirements:

Have a good heating system, full lighting, high quality drinkers and feeders. Ventilation and strength are achieved through the presence of gratings with small cells. They are on the sides and on the floor. The cell size is approximately 10 millimeters.
Chicks' waste products must pass through the grate unhindered, falling into a special waste bin. It can be quickly washed and treated with disinfectants. The entire brooder should be easy to clean and wash.
To raise young chickens in the first days of life, maintain a normal temperature and protect against drafts, it is necessary to make removable side walls. They are made from washable materials. Plywood or fiberboard works well. For single use, you can use thick cardboard. At first, you can install additional mats. They should be covered with dry bedding. These devices should take up half of the cage.
Bruder should be supplemented with a few infrared lamps. It is also recommended to use a thermostat that reacts to changing external conditions and adjusts the temperature in the brooder.
The size of the door should allow easy cleaning in the house.

When organizing a brooder, it is important to choose the right area for it. Too tight landing will lead to injuries, death of chicks, leg pathologies due to lack of physical activity.

Properly selected temperature regime ensures the normal development of chicks. To achieve good results, it is possible to use infrared lamps, which help to warm the chickens.