Canarm - Heavy-Duty Brooder-Style Heat Lamp Holder (HLC), 11" Steel Shade

The Canarm HLC brooder lamp is rated for use with bulbs up to 250 watts — the standard wattage for incandescent infrared heat bulbs used in livestock brooding. Common configurations:

• 250W infrared (red) lamp: Standard for pigs, lambs, goat kids, and calves — provides heat without disturbing normal sleep cycles as much as white light.
• 250W clear infrared: Slightly higher visible light output — useful when you want to observe animals while heating.
• 125W infrared: For smaller broods or warmer ambient conditions — provides less heat output for mild spring conditions.

Do not use standard household incandescent bulbs — they are not rated for the thermal stress of this application. Always use agricultural heat lamp bulbs specifically designed for brooder use, which have reinforced filaments and heat-resistant glass.

Brooder lamp height is critical — too close causes overheating and can start a fire; too far provides insufficient warmth. Guidelines by species:

• Piglets (first week): 45–60 cm (18–24") above the sleeping area. Target ambient temperature under the lamp: 32–35°C.
• Lambs/goat kids: 45–60 cm initially. Raise by 5–10 cm each week as animals grow and ambient temperature rises.
• Calves: 60–75 cm — calves are hardier and require less intense heat than small-body animals.
• Poultry chicks: 45 cm for the first week, then raise 5 cm per week until 5 weeks old.

The best indicator is animal behaviour: If animals pile in the centre under the lamp, it's too cold — lower the lamp. If they avoid the lamp area and spread to the edges, it's too hot — raise it. A well-adjusted brooder will have animals distributed evenly around the heated area.

Always secure the lamp with the included safety chain — a fallen lamp is a fire hazard.

The Canarm HLC is designed for agricultural and livestock use and meets Canadian safety standards. However, heat lamps are one of the leading causes of barn fires in Canada — safe use requires strict precautions:

• Never use in contact with bedding: The lampshade must never touch straw, shavings, or hay. Maintain a minimum 30 cm clearance from all combustible materials at all times.
• Always use the safety chain: Secure the lamp to a fixed structure with the included chain so it cannot fall if the clamp loosens or an animal bumps it.
• Use only rated bulbs: Do not exceed the 250W maximum rating. Do not use CFL or LED bulbs in brooder fixtures — they are not rated for the thermal environment and may fail.
• Inspect before each use: Check the cord for fraying, the bulb for cracks, and the shade for dents that could cause uneven heat distribution.
• Never leave unattended for extended periods without a fire detection system in the building.