Here's the engineering challenge - how do you make an infrared heat lamp secure (so that it does not fall into the brooder and start a fire), yet infinitely adjustable so that it be can be raised and lowered easily to adjust the temperature?
The answer - a locking, ratcheted pulley system.
I secure my racing kayak to my Prius roof rack using the Thule Quick Draw which includes a carabiner, S-hook, and rope ratcheting pulleys.
Now, our heat lamp is secured to an overhead pipe via 8 feet of nylon rope and a ratchet. Just pull on the rope to securely raise the lamp - it cannot fall. To lower, release the ratchet button.
I have a digital thermometer inside the brooder as general guidance, but watch the chicks behavior for a more accurate assessment of their comfort. If they are clustered together for warmth, I lower the lamp two inches. If they are separated and hiding in the corner of the brooder to cool down, I raise the lamp two inches. At this point, they're eating, drinking, and peeping comfortably - a glorious first week of chicken life.
A safe, easy to adjust brooder heat control using a ratcheted pulley system from my Thule rack. That's cool.