Advice needed - transitioning chicks to heat plate

[RobertaD1]

They will! I can not believe I waited so long to get one. I have some 3 week olds and I have one who barely uses it now. Shes almost completely feathered out too! I just LOVE the heat plate.

 

[RebelEgger]

They will! I can not believe I waited so long to get one. I have some 3 week olds and I have one who barely uses it now. Shes almost completely feathered out too! I just LOVE the heat plate.

That’s so great to hear! We have 4 babies coming the end of June so I am looking forward to raising them on it from the beginning to see any differences.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Chickens don't like change. The first time in their life where it is dark is a big change. It does upset them. But typically within 15 minutes mine are over it and settle down.

 

[OC Chick]

I bought a brinsea eco-glow this time around about a month before my chicks arrived and was super excited to use it. However, my head hen went broody three weeks to the day before my chicks came so I decided to graft them to her in the night. For the few hours before the grafting took place my chicks used it (I gently put them under it to show them where their heat source was). The heat plates definitely mimic a mama hen and you'll be surprised at how much they are not under it. It's been interesting to observe as my babies rarely spend much time underneath their mom. I stressed over my first flock under a heat lamp and was so worried about them being cold. The reality is, they probably would have enjoyed less heat. You'll know if they need more heat if you have any distressed chirping.

 

[RobertaD1]

I definitely hear more "distressed" chirps because of brooder mates, rather than being too cold. In the beginning, they would forget where the heat was... well, at least one of them forgot...LOL.... but You almost forget they're there with the plate. MUCH happier babies!