Brooder heat plate height question

[KCMOLisa]

So I just picked up my first chicks ever from Cackle Hatchery, and I've been staring at them in the brooder nonstop ever since!

They are all doing great so far. I have a Premier heat plate in there for them. Even though it's in the 90s today, a few of them have been going under it. My question is, are you supposed to adjust it to their height when they're standing up or laying down? I noticed the ones that are asleep under there are sleeping standing up so that their backs are touching it. Should I lower it a little so that they can lay down and still be touching it? Sorry for being such a newbie!

 

[chikkenfriend]

How many chicks? I ask because our first batch was six and standing height was fine since they could huddle up and make the most of the heat.

We lowered it when our broody rejected three of the babies. They would huddle but it didn't seem to be working. One setting lower helped a bit.

Keep an eye on them. If they sleep regularly, they're good. If they don't, they may be cold. They need lots of warmth in the beginning.

Best of luck to ya!!

 

[chikkenfriend]

P.s. That's not newbie, that's love and care.

 

[KCMOLisa]

Thanks! There's 26 so they definitely have group mass if they need to huddle. It's pretty hot outside anyway right now (in the 90s today and high 70s tonight), but later next week the low is 49 one night! First I raised it and they all seemed to be standing up to sleep so they could touch the plate. Then I lowered it and now they are all just leaning against the outside sleeping with just a couple under it. Who knows what they want?

I'm just being paranoid about everything right now since I really have no clue what to expect. I appreciate the input. I think I might raise it up a little bit tomorrow so they can all comfortably get under there and huddle if needed. I'm sure I'll be a chick pro in a couple days.

 

[KCMOLisa]

I'm really more worried about them getting too hot, not too cold. What kind of plate do you have, chikkenfriend? I put my hand on mine and it is very, very hot. I can't even keep my hand on it. I have the Premier brooder plate. Does that sound right? It seems way too hot for them. I put a meat thermometer on the surface and it's almost 140 degrees.

 

[chikkenfriend]

Ours isn't that hot, I think. I can keep my hand on it. So, maybe a bit more height than ours. But you do have a bunch in there. I think you'll be fine. Too hot, they'll come out. It's the cold you have to worry about, mostly at night. But you've got some serious heat, so they'll be alright.

We have a small one. https://www.brinsea.com/p-375-ecoglow-20-chick-brooder.aspx