Do I have the heater plate set too high?

[newchickmomma3-2025]

So, hi! New here, new to chicks and chickens in general. We’ve had our chicks a week today. I think they are doing pretty good. A few of them have had pasty butt which I’ve been keeping cleaned up. My question is, do I have the brooder plate heater up to high? There are 3 height options, but the others look too low. Does it look ok, or should I lower it down some? If you look at pictures, first shows some chicks laying under it, second shows one chick walking out.

 

[thistlewick]

They should be allowed to touch the top of their heads/backs to the plate if they choose.

Have one side angled down low, the other side angled up high -- that way they can find the spot that works best for them.

I have it at quite an extreme angle and chicks from 2-5 weeks old and they all use it or don't, at their leisure.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Agreed set the back legs lower so their backs can touch and the front end higher. This allows them to self adjust as needed. Backs need to be able to make contact with plate on the lower end.

 

[newchickmomma3-2025]

Ok. Thanks! Also, they all seem happy and eating drinking etc, but is it normal for their crop area to look so big after/while eating

 

[Finnie]

Ok. Thanks! Also, they all seem happy and eating drinking etc, but is it normal for their crop area to look so big after/while eating

Yes, normal.

 

[RoyalChick]

As others have said, set the plate at an angle so they can choose the height. Sometimes they will stand tall and just have the top of their head or maybe back touch the plate. Sometimes they will snuggle down at the low end.
Raise it up when they get too big for the lowest part.
And yea, that big bulging crop is the sign of a well fed chick!