Customer Questions:
From: Ellen
Date: January 26, 2011
Subject: Question about lighting for chicks when using a Sweeter Heater

I've just ordered a Sweeter Heater to use in a brooder. I am trying to find out what lighting my chicks will need. Most sites recommend bright light for the first 48 hours, so the chicks get used to eating and drinking, but most brooders use lamps of some sort, so some light is always involved. I haven't been able to find any information about what kind of light is necessary if you are using a non-light heater, like the Sweeter Heater. Do the chicks need anything other than natural light? If chicks are raised under a broody hen, do they survive without any extra lighting at all? Any suggestions as to the type of lighting my chicks should have? I was thinking that I would just give them natural light......but I am worried that they may need a period of 24 hr a day lighting at first, in order to get used to eating and feeding. But, then, I wonder: If chicks under a hen don't get 24 hr lighting, how necessary is it? Will chicks get along all right without any additional light? Should I use a small night-light for 2-3 days, then just daylight? I haven't had any luck finding this kind of information, and, since I learned that you recommend the Sweeter Heaters, I was hoping you might be able to answer my questions.
Ellen, Havre de Grace, MD

Answer:
Ellen,
We use a low-watt bulb, 40 or 60, for the first few days. Then change to 15 or 25 watts as the chicks grow, as the higher wattage can make the brooder too hot, and if the chicks are a breed that is inclined toward picking, the lower wattage helps prevent that. They do not need 24 hour lighting, and if you can provide adequate natural light that's perfect. Our brooder is in the middle of the barn, where natural light isn't possible. We put our lights on a timer so they go off for a period each night to get the chicks used to nightfall and let them have time to rest.

Your idea of using a night light for 2-3 days until they are eating well, and then natural light, should work fine. I would put the light away from, and slightly above, the heater so the panel throws a shadow where the chicks can rest away from the light. When you go to natural light, if they continue to eat and drink at the normal rate (which increases rapidly with chicks), then you know they are doing okay.

Good luck,
Gail

Question:
I purchased your OH 1140 heater for warming baby pigs and it doesn't put out much heat. It gets warm but not hot and does not glow red like the picture in the online catalog. I normally used two 250 watt heat bulbs and was hoping this would be a safer, more reliable replacement for the bulbs.

David

Answer:
David, thank you for your mail. First I want to assure you that you have purchased a product that will do a very excellent job of heating your pigs if properly installed according to directions. The heater is designed to radiate very soft heat down to the piglets under it. It is designed to heat a specific area safely, reliably and at a much lower cost than the heat bulbs.
The OH 1140 uses only 150 watts of power and draws only 1.4 amps.

Suspend the heater approximately 16 inches above the piglets nesting area
and let them decide if it is warm enough. You are trying to keep the piglets temperature at about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That is roughly the same temperature as our body heat. (Also the reason that it does not feel hot.) If the piglets need to be warmer you can lower the heater a little at a time. As they grow simply raise the heater accordingly. The piglets will tell you where the comfort zone is.

You will very quickly begin to notice the piglets laying under the heater without piling or competing for the same ideal temperature. We are not trying to burn the piglets like happens with the 250 watt bulb heaters. We are trying to create a comfortable environment that the piglets can lay under without competing for the sweet spot under a high intensity bulb.

I want to also inform you that we have contacted(the dealer)about misleading nature of the catalog photograph that you refer to and completely understand your questions.

I am confident that if you give it a fair try you will be more than pleased with your investment. Let me know if there are any other questions and how it works.


Sincerely,

Chuck Scharf
Product Manager


Infratherm, Inc.


N2485 County HWY P
Sarona, WI 54870
Phone: 715-469-3280
Fax: 715-469-3462
Hours: M-F 9-5

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