Heat lamp alternatives

[misslady]

Hey all!
I'm prepping my incubator for a new batch of eggs and am thinking ahead to my brooder. Traditionally I've always used a heat lamp, but they make me incredibly nervous and now with several hatches under my belt, I am looking to upgrade to a better and safer heat source for my chicks.
Just wondering what everyone's opinions were on what was available out there? Any recommendations or ones I should steer clear from? I've been trying to read up online, but there is nothing quite as helpful as feedback from people who use them.
Thanks!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

How many chicks do you brood at as time?

 

[misslady]

How many chicks do you brood at as time?

The most was 15 at once, wish I could do more, but don't have the coop space at this time. Hopefully in the future.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

A brooder plate, mama heat pad, etc can easily accommodate those numbers.
Here's a great thread on the mhp

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[Folly's place]

I haven't read that whole thread, but for those of us who don't like to do home made electrical items, Premier1supplies.com has very good stuff, including heating plates, in their poultry catalog. Mary

 

[lazy gardener]

Many of us have switched to heating pad brooding. It's simple to set up, much safer, and much more natural for the chick. This is the pad I use: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sunbeam-...75035&wl11=online&wl12=22046341&wl13=&veh=sem

Do a thread search for : mama heating pad, or heating pad brooding. Blooie has a thread and an article that should get you up and running.

 

[misslady]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Really liking the looks of the Mama heating pad so far, looks like that thread is full of good info! I will be sure to check out that website as well.

 

[member 373180]

I've used the mama heating pad for several batches of chicks. Large and small groups, bantams and LF. Everybody loves it and I never have pasty bum problems after the first couple days (from shipping or store I think).
If you have a pretty large brooder it's a good idea to be around on the first day so you can show them where it is when they start screeching. They learn quickly.
I learned everything I needed from Blooie's thread.

 

[mechanic57]

A brooder plate, mama heat pad, etc can easily accommodate those numbers.
Here's a great thread on the mhp

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

How much power do these use according to the packaging/ paperwork? I just ordered the heating pad Blooie uses in that thread. They look to be much safer than the lamps and I'd be able to get away from the recurring cost of replacing heat lamp bulbs when they burn out. I'm just curious about the energy usage because I have solar panels. I'm hoping this uses less energy than a heat lamp and not more.

 

[lazy gardener]

You should be able to find that out by looking at the specs listed on the site you bought your pad from. Remember, when they list the amount of power: it's not a constant draw, the way a heat lamp is. The pad cycles on and off.