Chick heat plate - how do it know it's the right level?

[jtommers]

Hi, I have at chick heat plate which i am using for the first time. At the moment I have a one day old chick with has hatch (early bird). How do I know it's set at the right height? I have the two back legs lower than the front (that seems to be the done thing to do). The chick is still chirping - but not sure if that's because he's lonely or cold.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

The back end needs to be low enough to touch its back to the plate. The chick is chirping because it’s lonely.

 

[jtommers]

ok thank you. i was worried it might get the wood chip on fire.

 

[RoyalChick]

ok thank you. i was worried it might get the wood chip on fire.

I worried about that at first too but I don’t think it gets hot enough.
I have had chicks like their wood shavings to almost bury the heat plate and it didn’t seem to be an issue.
The angle is so they can choose what height. You will raise it as they get bigger.

 

[thecatumbrella]

ok thank you. i was worried it might get the wood chip on fire.

I use my hand to press down on the shavings and compact them, so none are touching the plate. This also helps young chicks get a better footing on a more uneven terrain.