stevefitz5 Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Hi all Just a quick question to those who have used both what is the best option Heat lamp or an Electric Hen? I have been using an electic hen for the last two lots of chicks i hatched and a lamp as it's a bit dark in the kitchen. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 I like electric hens because they encourage the chick to feather better and more evenly (in my opinion) they also give it a sense of night and day which means less trouble when they go to live outside however...I do use a lamp for the first few days as with an electric hen you cant see under it to spot an early problem (unless you lift it several times a day) and also new chicks can nest in to the bedding and get stuck under there The lamp I use is a traditional heat lamp with a dull emitter bulb which provides heat but no light The only time I use infra red lamps is if I am trying to extend the chicks eating time (hatching during the winter) or if I have an adult bird drying off after a bath that I want to encourage to preen its feathers I appreciate that most people only hatch a few a year and in this case I would use an electric hen but dont have the bedding too deep that they can bank it and do check underneath regularly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Electric hen, absolutely fab, much more natural. we use a lamp as well for first few days. Hen is easy to adjust and reposition as required (we took legs off and replaced with chains so we could suspend from hook in ceiling, makes it easy to move aside to check underneath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I use an electric hen always now. What I do is I use shavings early on, but I buy the non slip matting stuff from pound land & put it over the top. This way they can't scoop out hollows or pile up the bedding - as Redwing mentions. I like the night & day routine with Electric hens, plus they seem to get off heat a lot quicker. As they grow, they do like to use Electric hens for diving board practice though! Be warned! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefitz5 Posted August 9, 2012 Author Share Posted August 9, 2012 Cheers for that I have an electric hen but bought some chicks that had been under a lamp think they were a little confused to start with so was thinking of getting a heat lamp but they are starting to get the idea now. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Hi, is an electric hen or a Brinsea Ecoglow best or is it just a matter of preference? I'm going to buy one for my hatch due next week. 2 choc campbells, 1 white campell and a pink and blue chicken egg of unknown breed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 I have a eco glow brooder its alright for indoor reared chicks but if they are out in a shed it maybe a bit cold at night i also use heat lamps but after my electric bill i might go with electric hens all the time i would think batcatz the eco brooder would be ok for ducklings as i only keep them on heat for about a week and then just put them in front of a radiator in a rabbit cage and move them out at 6 weeks as they are so messy leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
