Brooder plate too hot for them to sit on?

[bethnlee]

Hi. So, I have a new Producers Pride Brooder Plate and am setting up my brooder for my new (hopefully) little girls that are arriving in two days. The brooder plate has a warning on the top of the plate "caution hot surfaces avoid contact". I haven't seen anything talking about the top of the plate and I worry about my little girls hurting their feet. Any comments or suggestions? Thank you in advance.

 

[Rurumo]

Do you have it plugged in? Just plug it in, let it heat up and then set your hand on it for a while. Most of them are much cooler on top than on the bottom and chicks usually love standing up there to the point some people don't let them due to all the poop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Brooder plate tops shouldn't be hot. Plug it in, and test both top and bottom with your hands. If you can't safely place your hands on the surface then you know it's too hot.

 

[bethnlee]

Do you have it plugged in? Just plug it in, let it heat up and then set your hand on it for a while. Most of them are much cooler on top than on the bottom and chicks usually love standing up there to the point some people don't let them due to all the poop.

Thanks. I just plugged it in to do just that I see that some brooders have caps and whatnot that you can buy to put on the top...

 

[RoyalChick]

Thanks. I just plugged it in to do just that I see that some brooders have caps and whatnot that you can buy to put on the top...

I usually put a little cardboard tray on top with some shavings in it. That rapidly becomes the favorite hang-out.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The "cap" is to make it easier to clean as they like to sit on top and poop, it's not because it gets too hot.

 

[bethnlee]

Brooder plate tops shouldn't be hot. Plug it in, and test both top and bottom with your hands. If you can't safely place your hands on the surface then you know it's too hot.

Thanks. The warning on the top is the clue...but maybe its really only talking about the bottom, which is where it SHOULD be warm. Anyway, it's plugged in so we'll see.

 

[bethnlee]

I usually put a little cardboard tray on top with some shavings in it. That rapidly becomes the favorite hang-out.

great idea! And that brings me to another "newbie" question...I have pine shavings for the bottom of the brooder, but what do you put under that to make cleanup a bit easier? I'm using a dog kennel that I've used as my broody breaker...don't think I'll be able to use it for long as these gals will outgrow it quickly and the brooder plate takes up a LOT of room, but its what's available now...so I have the wire kennel floor and then cardboard...paper towels and then shavings....? I just love you guys and gals

 

[Iluveggers]

great idea! And that brings me to another "newbie" question...I have pine shavings for the bottom of the brooder, but what do you put under that to make cleanup a bit easier? I'm using a dog kennel that I've used as my broody breaker...don't think I'll be able to use it for long as these gals will outgrow it quickly and the brooder plate takes up a LOT of room, but its what's available now...so I have the wire kennel floor and then cardboard...paper towels and then shavings....? I just love you guys and gals

I like putting a cheap shower curtain liner underneath the whole brooder. Once you remove it from its space, you can fold up the liner, carry it outside, and dump any shavings/dust in your compost or chicken run. Protects the floor well, also.

 

[rosemarythyme]

great idea! And that brings me to another "newbie" question...I have pine shavings for the bottom of the brooder, but what do you put under that to make cleanup a bit easier? so I have the wire kennel floor and then cardboard...paper towels and then shavings....?

I did paper towels in the past - in strips long enough to cover the length of the enclosure. Not too tough to lift and remove for clean outs, and can be tossed into compost or yard waste bins.