Are heat plates less likely to catch fire than red heat lamps?

[bridgetchicken]

Are heat plates less likely to catch fire than red heat lamps? I am considering getting a heat plate than a red bulb because it seems safer.

 

[DobieLover]

Are heat plates less likely to catch fire than red heat lamps? I am considering getting a heat plate than a red bulb because it seems safer.

Yes. They are not only much safer, they more closely mimic the natural heat source for a chick and consume less energy.

 

[Isadora]

Are heat plates less likely to catch fire than red heat lamps?

That's correct.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

I just discovered my heater plate won't heat at all if the ambient temperature is too cool. Inside the house it's fine. But outside in a brooder coop, nada. Might just be the brand I bought --- but be aware, everyone, if you're reading this and plan to use a heater plate outdoors, it needs to be tested outdoors for 24 hours before you trust it.

 

[Emery Acres]

Much less likely!

 

[RoyalChick]

I just discovered my heater plate won't heat at all if the ambient temperature is too cool. Inside the house it's fine. But outside in a brooder coop, nada. Might just be the brand I bought --- but be aware, everyone, if you're reading this and plan to use a heater plate outdoors, it needs to be tested outdoors for 24 hours before you trust it.

Did you test it or are you basing that on the manufacturer’s information?
I ask because mine says not to use it below 60 degrees but in reality it was fine in the 40s.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Did you test it or are you basing that on the manufacturer’s information?
I ask because mine says not to use it below 60 degrees but in reality it was fine in the 40s.

I put it in an outdoor brooder coop with 29 chicks 2-weeks-old, along with a heat lamp for backup. It was working fine last night (40-s) and this morning, but this afternoon (48-deg) it would not get up to temp; only barely warm at all to the touch. I then remembered that I tried this with a previous group of chicks, and it did the same thing. I brought it back inside, and it works fine in my basement. Raised two broods of chicks so far, indoors.