Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Heat Lamp Dos and Don'ts

Heat Lamp DO’s
  1. Use 175 watt bulbs. 250 watt bulbs cost more to use and, in our experience, are rarely needed.
  2. Use PAR (pressed glass) bulbs. Far more durable and last longer.
  3. Tie or clip the lamps very securely—A lamp that fall onto animals and/or bedding has consequences that can be very serious—including fire.  

Heat Lamp DON’Ts
  1. Don’t hang them closer than 20" to bedding or baby animals that can't move away from them. If using to brood chicks, the lamp may be lowered as far as 12" above the ground. 
  2. Don’t enclose them in barrels or similar small spaces. The heat must be allowed to move away from the lamp.
  3. Don’t use longer than necessary. We hear reports of folks using them continuously for several months. If you need to do this, buy the black Prima Heat Lamp. 
    Lambs and kids only need extra heat when they are wet newborns or weak or suffering from hypothermia.