Chicks won't go under Ecoglow 20

[sphillips]

I got 8 Production Red pullets today from Tractor Supply. They are about a week old. With the exception of a few pasty butts, all seems well. I purchased an Ecoglow 20 for the brooder because the red lamps I used before make me nervous about fire. The chicks are being brooded in my spare room for now, which has it's own small baseboard heater. I have a thermometer with a probe on it set at the bottom of the brooder. Ambient temp there is about 78 degrees. Chicks are in a dog crate (cage type, not enclosed), with cardboard around the bottom third to prevent drafts.
When I put the chicks in the brooder, I dipped beaks in the water, just to make sure, and then placed them under the brooder at the lowest setting. I figured this would show them where to go. After about an hour, chicks were in a pile in the corner, not under the brooder. Put each one back under the Ecoglow, they came back out. I set one side of the brooder on the middle setting on the leg, the other one I left low. Moved the brooder further towards the center of their cage.
Chicks were up and around, eating, drinking, quietly peeping, but not distressed. Went in to check later, all were sleeping close to eachother, but sprawled out, didn't seem cold.
The Ecoglow is working, light is on, does feel warm when I put my hand under it. Do I need to be concerned? Will they know to go under it when it gets a bit cooler this evening? I will keep an eye on the room temp to make sure it's staying warm. Anything I need to do at this point?
It's been a few years since I've raised chicks, went with the Ecoglow for safety reasons, but not sure what to do if the chicks won't use it!

 

[Boonie Stomper]

I'll bet if the ambient air was cold the chicks would go under. As it is they are probably not needing it while they're active. They may get closer at night.

 

[EB2351]

They might just be keeping themselves comfortable next to each other if the ambient temp is near 80. As long as you show them where the heat is a few times, they should figure it out, and if they don't, they will let you know with the distressed chirping. My first ever batch of chicks had a buff orpington who would jump on top of the heating plate in the middle of the night, get stuck, and wake everyone up she chirped so loudly. After I put her back two times she got the hang of it!

There were days when they hardly seemed to use it and I was nervous that they were getting cold, but sure enough they would pile under it when they needed to. You can keep putting them there to feel the warmth so that they know where it is in case they need it, but they should be fine.

 

[Lintltj5]

Not to hijack the thread, but Im having the same difficulty with my MHP. I purchased my 6 chicks from Tractor supply on Saturday, but had to special order my non auto off heating pad, which arrived today. Theyve been under a heat lamp since Saturday night.
The brooder is in my basement, and its pretty chilly down there. I set up the MHP as directed, sloping, touching their back etc. When I manually put them in, they went right to sleep. After about an hour, they woke up played for a while, then all huddled in the corner and started to sleep again. I manually placed them all back under, and they stayed in and went right to sleep.
I just got back from a meeting so its been about 2 1/2 hours since I last put them under the MHP. When I went down to check they were huddled in the corner again. Im positive its not too hot and its set up right.
How long of an adjustment period do you think theyll need? It is pretty chilly down in the basement so I figured they would start getting the picture that heating pad cave =warm, but it hasnt caught on yet. I just dont want them freezing while Im at work. The brooder is 2' x 4', so its quite large. Should I just keep putting them under manually?
I actually put 5 of the 6 under just to see if the last one would follow, but she just sat and chirped away searching for her sisters. After a few minutes I put her at the mouth of the cave so she could see and hear them, but she still wouldnt go in on her own. I finally just tucked her under and all was quiet and still. They seem to love it under there.
Again sorry, not meaning to hijack.

 

[BYC910]

The chicks have been used to the red heat lamps at tsc they relate red to heat . Modern brooders use a wire heating element but have a light to draw the chicks to the heat source. If you put a flash light with a red filter under the heaters it will draw the chicks to the heater .

 

[aart]

The light idea is a good one, even a small white light would help, like dim battery puck light.

Make sure plate height is easy for them to touch their backs.
Sometimes you have to hold them under until they feel the warmth,
might take several of these 'holds'.
Once a few of them 'get it', the rest should follow.

 

[lazy gardener]

They don't need you to keep that room warm. Turn that extra heater off, and let that room get down to room temp. I'm guessing you don't keep the rest of your house at 78*?

 

[sphillips]

Lazy Gardener: No. The rest of the house is cooler, I just kept the heat up in there partly because I was concerned that they weren't using the heater.
Aart: What is a puck light?
Where can I find a light with a red 'filter'?

 

[azygous]

I agree with the others who have pointed out the high ambient temp is making it unnecessary for the chicks to need the Ecoglo.

I brood my chicks outdoors, and even on very cool days where the ambient temp is in the 50s, week old chicks spend very little time under their heating pad setup, which is similar to the Ecoglo.

Chicks simply do not need to be kept as warm as most people believe. All that's necessary is to provide an adequate place under which to replenish lost body heat, and the rest of the brooder can be quite cool. When your chicks cool down, they will seek out a place to warm up just as lizards and snakes seek warmth. Healthy chicks do not spend a lot of time huddled under a heat source. They have more important things to do.

 

[aart]

Agrees, turn the heat down in the room.
A puck light is often about the size of a hockey puck, thus the moniker.
Also known as push light because you push on it to turn it on and off.
Battery operated and can be hung or 'taped' in place wherever it is needed.
A small flashlight can work too, doesn't need to be red.
I've used them both to lure chicks under the plate or into the coop