Chick Plate or Heating Pad?

[TexasTay]

I'm a buy-once-cry-once kind of gal. Which mama hen option (for use in an 8x10 coop in fall in Houston at 75-90 degrees outside) allows 15 chicks to be warm but not burned, is easy to clean poop off of, will be reusable and last for a long time to come?

Are you glad you bought a certain brand of something? Wish you had gotten something different? I would love to hear and learn from you!

 

[coach723]

I have a Brinsea Ecoglow 50 and have been really happy with it. No worries of over or under temp, no fire hazard, it's very adjustable, I usually have mine at an angle - one side a bit higher than the other- to accommodate size differences or preferences. They run under it just like mom if startled. I know there are other good products out there too, but I've been really happy with it, I've had mine about 4 years now.

 

[Joeschooks]

I collect Premier heat plates They are economical, the chicks control how much warmth they get and they’re easy to adjust. I use masking tape to secure wallpaper lining paper to the top which makes it easy to clean. They make plastic domes that go on the top to prevent chicks perching on top but I’m happy with my disposable paper method! Like Coach, I also have one end higher than the other and would highly recommend Premier plates.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I also got a Premier, and was super pleased with it! I bought the one with the cover, and am really glad I did. It keeps them from roosting on top of the heat plate. Really there wasn't anything to clean, I dusted the cover & wiped it down. Adjusting is really easy. The chicks seemed to love it too, it's warm here right now and they actually weaned themselves of at 2 1/2 weeks.