Brooder Plate

[Brandonlee]

Hey all,

Long time browser, first-time poster! I've done a ton of research while waiting for my chicks to arrive and they should be arriving next week!

I purchased a brooder plate several months ago and plugged it in last week to ensure that it would work properly before my chicks arrived. To my dismay, it appeared to be malfunctioning because it only heated up to 78 degrees or so when I checked the temperature with my temp gun (after leaving it plugged in overnight). It also felt cool to the touch. I returned the heat plate and decided to try a different heat plate, but found that the only heat plate that would arrive before my chicks arrived was the same brand. So I ordered the same heat plate since it had great Amazon reviews and I assumed I just received a malfunctioning plate. However, my new plate doesn't seem to be warming up to the temps I thought they were supposed to. I am planning on purchasing a heat lamp tomorrow as a back-up but I am wondering if I should return this plate as well?

This is the heat plat I bought:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7U6BUJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When temping the underside of the plate, the highest I temped the plate was around 100 degrees in a spot, but the average temp was in the 80s. This is after being plugged in for several hours. It feels warm to the touch, but I'm worried these temps are too low for chicks since most heat plates advertise being way hotter.

What are your guys' suggestions?

 

[nikolairapunzel]

Hey all,

Long time browser, first-time poster! I've done a ton of research while waiting for my chicks to arrive and they should be arriving next week!

I purchased a brooder plate several months ago and plugged it in last week to ensure that it would work properly before my chicks arrived. To my dismay, it appeared to be malfunctioning because it only heated up to 78 degrees or so when I checked the temperature with my temp gun (after leaving it plugged in overnight). It also felt cool to the touch. I returned the heat plate and decided to try a different heat plate, but found that the only heat plate that would arrive before my chicks arrived was the same brand. So I ordered the same heat plate since it had great Amazon reviews and I assumed I just received a malfunctioning plate. However, my new plate doesn't seem to be warming up to the temps I thought they were supposed to. I am planning on purchasing a heat lamp tomorrow as a back-up but I am wondering if I should return this plate as well?

This is the heat plat I bought:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7U6BUJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When temping the underside of the plate, the highest I temped the plate was around 100 degrees in a spot, but the average temp was in the 80s. This is after being plugged in for several hours. It feels warm to the touch, but I'm worried these temps are too low for chicks since most heat plates advertise being way hotter.

What are your guys' suggestions?

Where will the chicks be located? outdoors? In your garage, basement, etc? What is the temp in that area? I have used a heating pad made into a cave and never actually checked the temp. This spring I used a heating plate they can go under. I never checked the temp but since it was located in our heated garage, I didn't really worry about it.
If the chicks are cold, they will chirp at you very high pitched. You will know if they are cold.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

They work great!!!! They aren’t supposed to feel hot to the touch. I have never had any issues with any of the many chicks that I have brooded under my brooder plates. I have 3 2-week old chicks in my barn right now. It’s only been In The 20’s/30s at night these past few days and they are thriving ! I have it set up where one end is higher than the other for them to get cozier if need be.
Best wishes and be well!

 

[Brandonlee]

Where will the chicks be located? outdoors? In your garage, basement, etc? What is the temp in that area? I have used a heating pad made into a cave and never actually checked the temp. This spring I used a heating plate they can go under. I never checked the temp but since it was located in our heated garage, I didn't really worry about it.
If the chicks are cold, they will chirp at you very high pitched. You will know if they are cold.

Thanks for the quick reply!

They will be located in my house for the first several days and then in a bigger brooder located in my insulated garage (50-60 degree temps at night this time of year) until they are ready for the coop. I know monitoring the chicks behavior is the most important step in understanding if they are staying warm enough, I'm just trying to plan ahead! I'll keep that in mind and monitor their behavior to better understand if the plate is warm enough for their needs.

 

[nikolairapunzel]

Thanks for the quick reply!

They will be located in my house for the first several days and then in a bigger brooder located in my insulated garage (50-60 degree temps at night this time of year) until they are ready for the coop. I know monitoring the chicks behavior is the most important step in understanding if they are staying warm enough, I'm just trying to plan ahead! I'll keep that in mind and monitor their behavior to better understand if the plate is warm enough for their needs.

The warming plate should be perfect! I have raised 4 sets of chicks now, one with the heat lamp, 2 with the heating pad cave and our last with the warming plate. My favorites are for sure the cave and the warming plate. They are SO SO much easier and less stressful than a heat lamp. Your chicks might need you to "put them to bed" the first few nights or when you first get them. They don't always understand what they need to do. Just put them under it and hold your hand in front of the sides to keep them in for a minute. They quickly feel the heat. But they learn what to do and you'll see them pop in and out. If they peep you know they need something Enjoy them! They are so much fun!

 

[RebekahTN]

I love my heating plates, they shouldn't be "hot" to the touch, or they would be burning the babies backs. The chicks will huddle together under the plate to keep warm. I think by 3 -4 weeks mine just sleep under there out of habit more than anything. They like to line up with their heads sticking out. It can be pretty funny to look in as we are heading to bed and see all the little heads lined up along the sides of heat plates sticking out.
Yes they sleep in the house right by my 9 year olds chair so she can see their every more and she can hear them if they wake up scared during the night. She also sleeps in that chair during chick season. One night she did get up and go to her bed. The new batch that night had one that was NOT a happy camper. It chirped all night. The next morning she told me she didn't know why it wouldn't be quiet. She kept checking on it and it had food and water and was warm along with the rest and nobody was picking on it so she just finally went to her bed so she could sleep. I told her that is what it was like with me and her when she was little.