Heat Lamp: Reliable Warmth for the Creep Area and Piglets

Heat Lamp: The Warm Spot Next to the Sow

A piglet loses body heat rapidly straight after birth, while the sow lies most comfortably at around 18 degrees. You bridge that difference with a heat source above the creep area. It creates a clearly defined warm zone, draws the animals away from the sow's lying place and so lowers the risk of crushing as well. Here you will find infrared lamps, dull emitters and spare parts.

Setting the temperature correctly

On the day of birth the creep area should be at around 34 degrees. After that you drop it by about two degrees a week, until you reach around 24 degrees at weaning. The most reliable check is how they lie: if the piglets lie relaxed side by side, the setting is right. If they crowd into a heap it is too cold, and if they spread to the edges it is too warm. Adjust through the hanging height and the wattage, not in sudden jumps. Keep a sufficient distance from bedding and plastic parts, secure the lamp with a chain against falling and run the cable out of the sow's reach.

Designs compared

The classic hard glass infrared lamp with an E27 fitting gives off visible light as well as heat and is the most widespread answer. The Splash version is waterproof to IPX7 and so survives pressure washing of the pen. Where the light would be a nuisance, at night for instance, a ceramic dull emitter works without giving off any light and heats purely by radiant warmth. The SunnyBoy stainless steel radiant heater and the infrared radiant heaters at 150 and 250 watts are complete units with shade and fitting. The Philips hard glass lamps come clear and red, and the red light is calmer for the animals. As a spare part you will find a tube with a carbon heating element.

Frequently asked questions

How high do I hang the lamp?
As a starting point, around 50 to 60 centimetres above the lying surface. Take a reading in the creep and correct in small steps. Check the setting again once the piglets have lain under it for several hours.

Hard glass or ceramic?
Hard glass lamps give off light as well as heat, which helps especially in the first hours as the piglets find the creep. Ceramic dull emitters heat without light and suit a house where the day and night rhythm is to be kept.

What does IPX7 mean?
The housing is protected against temporary immersion and accordingly takes a jet of water during cleaning. All the same, disconnect the lamp from the mains before cleaning and let it cool down completely.