Brooding chicks outdoors, will heating plate work?

[DebbieMarler]

This is the main reason you see mama heating pads outside instead of plates, because the heating pad can be used in lower temperatures.

My guess is as long as the temperatures are moderate, and you test the plate ahead of time, they're probably fine to use in an outdoor brooder. But I'd test it well in advance, just in case.

A "cave" also isn't necessary in most cases, the heat source just needs to be placed somewhere draft free/climate protected.

Would heat pads from the greenhouse work? They stay 70 degrees, then have the brooder plate on top. This is the 1st time I've ever used have brooder plate. It gets very warm. There is no adjustment to the temperature on the brooder plate.When their a couple weeks old I plan to move them outside in the feed room for safety.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Would heat pads from the greenhouse work? They stay 70 degrees, then have the brooder plate on top. This is the 1st time I've ever used have brooder plate. It gets very warm. There is no adjustment to the temperature on the brooder plate.When their a couple weeks old I plan to move them outside in the feed room for safety.

Not sure as I've never tested them. Hopefully someone who has tried it can confirm/deny if those will work well enough. My guess is it'd work in warm/hotter conditions, but not be enough heat output in cooler conditions.

I would not double stack any heating implement.

 

[DebbieMarler]

Not sure as I've never tested them. Hopefully someone who has tried it can confirm/deny if those will work well enough. My guess is it'd work in warm/hotter conditions, but not be enough heat output in cooler conditions.

I would not double stack any heating implement.

Yes, with 90-100 degrees they likely won't need anything by 2 weeks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes, with 90-100 degrees they likely won't need anything by 2 weeks.

If it's consistently 90F or higher, they likely won't need anything past the first few days, if even that long. They'd still need option of heat at night most likely, though I know the South this year has gotten some pretty high overnight temperatures too.

 

[3KillerBs]

If it's consistently 90F or higher, they likely won't need anything past the first few days, if even that long. They'd still need option of heat at night most likely, though I know the South this year has gotten some pretty high overnight temperatures too.

The plate draws so little heat I just left mine on and let the little ones decide how much to use it or not use it.

On hotter nights they started in a row just outside the plate -- presumably scootching in as the temperature dropped from 91 at dusk to 75 at dawn.