Chicks won't use the heating plate

[CoopyDoo]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this so please bear with me. I have 4 three-day-old chicks. I have a Premier heating plate in their brooder and they are terrified of it! I've tried putting them under it but they run right back out. I've even tried to "trap" them under it for a few minutes so they can feel the warmth, but they still try desperately to escape. They're all huddled in a chick pile in a corner of the brooder, far away from the heating plate, chirping loudly. I can tell they're cold. I don't have a lamp on them, the plate is the only source of heat. Is there any way to encourage them to go under the plate? Will they eventually figure it out? (I'm losing faith that they'll figure it out!) Thanks for your help!

 

[RoosterML]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this so please bear with me. I have 4 three-day-old chicks. I have a Premier heating plate in their brooder and they are terrified of it! I've tried putting them under it but they run right back out. I've even tried to "trap" them under it for a few minutes so they can feel the warmth, but they still try desperately to escape. They're all huddled in a chick pile in a corner of the brooder, far away from the heating plate, chirping loudly. I can tell they're cold. I don't have a lamp on them, the plate is the only source of heat. Is there any way to encourage them to go under the plate? Will they eventually figure it out? (I'm losing faith that they'll figure it out!) Thanks for your help!

With only 4 chicks I would not give them much space at first until they get use to things. Have the space small enough for your waterer, food and heat plate with a couples inches around the heat plate.
Is the heat plate low enough so they can touch it with their back?

 

[CoopyDoo]

I think it's low enough... One chick hung out for a minute after the others ran out and I got this picture. Does this seem to be the right height?

 

[RoosterML]

I think it's low enough... One chick hung out for a minute after the others ran out and I got this picture. Does this seem to be the right height?

Tough to tell in pick. Lol chick looks squashed. The chick should be able to walk in and when needed they will extend/push up to touch heat plate as needed. Hold each individual chicks for a minute or so under heat plate or do two at a time one in each hand. Repeat until they stay.

 

[TomZilla43]

Chickens and chicks are notoriously AFRAID of everything, I tend to think that once they get settled down and explore their new area they will go under the heat plate as they need to. Good luck, hope they settle in and thrive for you.

 

[RoosterML]

Chickens and chicks are notoriously AFRAID of everything, I tend to think that once they get settled down and explore their new area they will go under the heat plate as they need to. Good luck, hope they settle in and thrive for you.

X2 if you keep area small enough they’ll find it sooner

 

[imnukensc]

I think it's low enough... One chick hung out for a minute after the others ran out and I got this picture. Does this seem to be the right height?

That's much too low. Chicks should be able to stand under it with it just touching their backs. It also helps to angle the plate----make the back side lower and the front side higher. They will go under and find their own comfort zone.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

Try putting something feathery, like a feather duster, under the heat plate. It's odd, I know, but it worked well with the single chick I was raising. It gave him a place to hide and snuggle down into.

 

[danceswithronin]

I think it's too low, they need room to be able to walk directly under it without crawling.

 

[PolergirlOH]

I agree that it’s a bit too low. Good luck and update please, I hope they get used to it! Heat plates are the BEST