Brooder plate questions/ issues

[ValerieJ]

I had this problem with the Premiere brooder plate too and sent it back. I watched the chicks under it. They would stand and touch their backs to it, like the instructions say, and then after a few seconds jump and squat down. It was like a torture chamber for chicks! Then I bought the Sweeter Heater and it works great, but it is expensive.

 

[Trish1974]

This spring I bought the Premier 16" brooder plate, set it up, and things seemed okay. Some chicks died the night after they arrived, but I thought shipping stress, so not good but it happens. After the first three days, everyone did fine.
The end of August I got it back out for fewer chicks, ten meat birds from TSC. After an hour in the brooder, they were all huddled away from the brooder plate where I'd set them on arrival. I felt the underside, and it was TOO HOT to leave my had there! No wonder the chicks left it!
I went back to the heat lamp for them.
So, I turned it over and placed a thermometer on it in the center; over 120F, and near the edge, 118F. No hen is that hot, and the directions say that the chicks should be able to be in contact with the plate. Not this plate!
I looked at the manufacturer's site, and called Premier, and this is 'normal' for the unit. So rather than return it, I got the temperature regulator gadget that they now sell (wonder why!) and have fiddled with it, and can get down to a reasonable temp on the plate.
Anyone else with this story?
A friend has the 12" plate, and it goes to 80F, and her chicks do fine.
Mary

I have both the 16" and the 12" Premier brooder plates. I have not had any problems out of the small one, but the 16" did this to one of my babies:

I assumed it was my fault for not having it at the right height (this was my first year brooding chicks), but now after reading your post I'm wondering if mine is running too hot also? The chick is fine now, no scarring and feathers in that area grew in full.

 

[Folly's place]

I don't understand why 'too hot to touch for long/ 120F' is good in any way, and that seems to be how mine is. The extra gadget sold to regulate it's temperature does work, but shouldn't be necessary.
There was no obvious way to contact the manufacturer directly, who's in the EU.
Mary

 

[featheredplanets]

Last year I had the 30x30cm ‘Comfort’ heat plate, it’s black with yellow legs (cost £30). I used it once for three weeks and then again a month later but it became too hot and felt like boiling water on my hand. I had to raise it all the way up. I fiddled about with it but was still too hot for the chicks to come in contact with. I threw it away. My heat lamp is so much less stressful.

 

[Folly's place]

The 'Comfort' brand is what I have from Premier too. Did you contact the manufacturer directly? Is there a way to do that? Maybe you have a link we don't have in the USA.
Mary

 

[featheredplanets]

The 'Comfort' brand is what I have from Premier too. Did you contact the manufacturer directly? Is there a way to do that? Maybe you have a link we don't have in the USA.
Mary

No I didn’t. My dad does all the online buying we never pursued further, unfortunately