No need to take a temperature reading with a plate (and it's difficult to get one) as it's the surface temperature of the plate that matters, not the ambient temperature.HI.
I was just wondering about the chicks being able to touch the radiant heater plate. This is my first time using one. It has a hi or a low temperature control so I was concerned about its accuracy. Outside of the heater registered at just a bit over 80 degrees but I couldn't get an accurate number from underneath. But I touched it to see how warm it was and if I held my hand on it more then a couple of seconds I felt like it could scorch my skin. They do gather under it at night so I'm hoping it's safe for them. I do have a couple of chicks who have been getting that pasty butt and some people were relating it to the chicks being too warm.
What do you think?
That said, if the plate feels too hot to the touch, I'd consider lowering it to the lo setting, and see how the chicks do - if they're upset by the lowered temperature, then turn it back up again.
What's the temperature like in the area outside of the plate? Pasty butt can still happen regardless of temperature, but it does seem to help make a difference to not have the chicks under constant high temperatures.