Can I use a plastic storage bin with my heat lamp?

[BalesBgarb]

Thank you everyone! The milling place where I got the chicks gave me the lamp and feeder and recommended a big refrigerator box. They were so nice. I guess I gotta hit Lowe’s for a fridge box. They’ll jump out of a kiddie pool at this point. They love the light. When I don’t have it on they get so loud. So it’s on all the time except when I take them out to hang out with my kids in my big entryway twice a day. I feel so bad they are cooped up in the box but they seem happy there. I’m just so worried I’m gonna screw this up. I have a coop for later but should I have a lamp in there when they’re ready for it in a few weeks or will they be ok without? This all feels weird them living in the house

 

[BalesBgarb]

I use a plastic tote with a heat lamp for the first 10 days.
I don't clamp it to the tote. I clamp to a solid object like a cabinet next to the tote so it's higher.
I also use a plug-in dimmer cord to control temperature.
This is the one I use, it's rated for 300 watts.View attachment 2104451. It's available at Wal-Mart and Amazon.View attachment 2104452. GC

So I could put that dimmer on my light? That’s cool cause eventually I’m going to have to lower the heat right? They hatched the first week of April and are still fuzzy in places. Not sure if I should be lowering the heat gradually?

 

[happybooker1]

I use a heat plate in a Rubbermade tote. No problems with that set up.

 

[BalesBgarb]

I use a heat plate in a Rubbermade tote. No problems with that set up.

I may need to get a heat plate. I’ll need it for their coop anyway I think. It’s still so cold here in Pittsburgh

 

[BalesBgarb]

Should I get something like this for now and future coop?https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Products...icks&qid=1587674312&sprefix=heat+plate&sr=8-6

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have a coop for later but should I have a lamp in there when they’re ready for it in a few weeks

I put my first Flock in the coop after 5 weeks. It was May and the temperature dropped to the 30s F.
I used a heat lamp. Make sure it's secure. I used the dimmer to control temperature.

GC

 

[GC-Raptor]

I may need to get a heat plate.

I think by 5 weeks they'll be to big for that. GC

 

[GC-Raptor]

So I could put that dimmer on my light? That’s cool cause eventually I’m going to have to lower the heat right? They hatched the first week of April and are still fuzzy in places. Not sure if I should be lowering the heat gradually?

Yes the dimmer plugs into outlet and heat lamp cord plugs into dimmer.
Temps need to go lower as they get older. GC

 

[TexasTurkeyMama]

We built a pvc frame to suspend heatlamps over the brooders, which have been plastic tubs but have also been a round stock tank. We adjust the height of the lamps as needed and tent the frame with a tarp if it is really cold. We lay wire panels over the brooders if we have hoppy chicks. To decide how warm to keep the chicks, we watch the chicks and adjust accordingly.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Should I get something like this for now and future coop?https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Products...icks&qid=1587674312&sprefix=heat+plate&sr=8-6

I wouldn't. They'll just poop all over it.

I fought the urge to buy a heat plate till I did the math and the price of a Premier 1 heat plate was paid for in electrical savings in just over one brooding over what brooding in my old Ohio brooders with heat lamps.