Do I need a heat lamp?

[peacockfeather]

Is there a specific type of heating pad anyone prefers? (And considered warm enough?)Thank you all for your super fast responses, by the way! You're all really helpful

 

[azygous]

Just a regular pad. Most of us like the six setting Sunbeam, but a cheaper one with just lo, med, hi settings will work. The only absolutely necessary feature must be a way to keep it from turning itself off after two hours which many do.

Go on Blooie's thread "Mama Heating Pad for the Brooder" and there are all sorts of great suggestions. The best frame is steel field fencing or similar sturdy metal. It can be bent easily to accommodate new chicks to five-week olds. Most chicks do not need it longer than that.

The thread also covers some important safety considerations such as how to avoid chicks getting caught in between the wire frame and the pad. This happened to me with a chick getting stuck. Luckily I found her and freed her. Other than that, it's one of the safest forms of brooding chicks.