Chick Heating Method (Radiant Heat)

[Molpet]

somewhere, I read where someone used the heating pad on the floor. IF I remember right the next time they built a MHP

 

[aart]

somewhere, I read where someone used the heating pad on the floor. IF I remember right the next time they built a MHP

I remember seeing someone use one fairly successfully....not sure I'm remembering right tho.

 

[RoosterML]

They would be less able to regulate their 'comfortable place' by how far from the heat they are.
On the pad too hot, off the pad too cold.
Under a pad or plate, best set at an angle, allows them to choose the best spot.

Good news there is a nice blend of temps on the plate itself. Plate center is 95°, 1/3 from edge 90°, plate edge 80°. Time to start my write up. Now I really want to get some chicks.

 

[aart]

Good news there is a nice blend of temps on the plate itself. Plate center is 95°, 1/3 from edge 90°, plate edge 80°. Time to start my write up. Now I really want to get some chicks.

I'd not 'write it up' until you have experience with chicks on it.
Just post pics here?

 

[RoosterML]

Preliminary build complete, items have changed from the original posting. I have changed the items so that nearly anyone can make a DIY radiant heater for brooding chicks and keep the cost under $20. Easily expanded and very cheap to run, uses only 50 watts of energy. I believe one unit could easily brood 25 chicks. I will post some pictures here now and once it's been put to use I will do a complete write up. The room temperature of this setup shown is 62°.
Is anyone getting chicks soon and willing to give it a try? Let me know and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Here's some pictures
Cookie sheet:

Heating Pad with no auto shut off:

2 layers of foil faced fan fold foam=3/4" total thickness, installed foil face towards heating pad

Flip it upside down:

Cover with 1 layer of an old T-shirt
And sprinkle some wood chips around the edge:

Make a cover using what you may have laying around: just make sure it's rigid enough to withstand some chicks going on top. 4"-5" blocks attached to top:

Reading of surface temps:
Center was 95°and works it way down to 80° around the edge:

When chicks first arrive I would set heating pad on high: After that go by chick behavior.

 

[RoosterML]

@MandaRae are you willing to give the above listed a go?

 

[MandaRae]

@MandaRae are you willing to give the above listed a go?

This is something i would be willing to try!
What is foil faced fan fold foam? Where would i get that?

 

[MandaRae]

The chicks arrive the first week of April so i will have plenty of time to get everything together. We will have 8 chicks

 

[RoosterML]

This is something i would be willing to try!
What is foil faced fan fold foam? Where would i get that?

I listed in the description what I had laying around. Any foam would work. If it does not have foil on it just cover the side that will be against the heating pad with regular old tin foil. The tin foil will help with reflecting the heat upwards towards the chicks. The foam helps with any heat being stolen downwards. I would hate for you to have to buy some. This link and the $6 price tag would allow you to make two of them.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Project...Foam-Board-Insulation-Sheathing-PP1/203553730
If you visit Lowe's or Home Depot foam board will be found in the insulation aisle. Seeing how you need such a small piece look around for a piece of rigid foam that may be damaged in some way and ask them if they will mark it down for you. Most of the time they will be more than happy to do so. Believe me I know .
Also the thickness of the foam you buy will depend on the depth of your cookie sheet. The idea is to keep the heating pad in direct contact with the cookie sheet.
One other side note: while I show a steel cookie sheet in the listing. I believe and will end up testing it myself that if you use one of the cheap throw away tin foil type cookie sheets it will produce higher temperatures up top. That would be helpful if let's say you try raising chicks in an unheated barn or garage during cold temps. The ideal surface temp to start the chicks out on I believe would be the 90°-95° range.

 

[RoosterML]

@MandaRae i will also be doing it around the same time likely end part of April. After 3-4 weeks I prefer to put them outside in chicken tractor. To messy !!!