Day olds not leaving brooder plate?

[Alex S]

Ok they left the brooder! There eating and I'm teaching them where the water is!

 

[Alex S]

I set my heat plate up at an angle, closer to the ground on one end, a bit higher on the other, that allows those that need more warmth to be closer, those that need less can move towards the higher end. I have a Brinsea Ecoglow and it adjusts easily. If you have a different brand that adjusts differently you may be able to put something under one end to make it angle that way. Adjust up a bit every few days as they grow. New chicks will spend a lot more time under it, both for warmth and because they feel secure. As they grow they will spend more time out from under it, and may start laying on top of it. Chicks will often peep loudly when they get 'lost' and are looking for others. Once they re-find the group, they quiet back down. This is especially apparent when the lights go out for the night. Constant loud cheeping is a sign of distress.

I have a RentACoop 10×10 heating plate that can be lifted or lowered 1/4 inch, also thanks for the info!