Heat Lamp or Heat Mat?

Heat lamp brooders are designed for large groups of chicks in large spaces (think 25+ in a 6' cardboard ring in a barn). Heat plate or DIY version is far superior for smaller groups of chicks.

Heat lamps vary in wattage but the most common is 250. A heat plate is 20-60 watts depending on model and setting. That's a huge difference in energy consumption for something you leave on 24/7. And, it is still warm enough since they are in direct contact rather than the heat being spread out over a large area. If you are raising them in your house, it has the added benefit of the chicks sleeping at night rather than peeping around the clock.
 
i have always used infrared heat lamp, never lost a chick. but i have not tried out the others.
That was me until last year. I had a 100w heat bulb and had raised smaller batches with it. I had shopped commercial heat plates but didn't find one that would suit my outdoor brooder needs (Premier now makes such a thing). But, once I found Blooie's thread, I wanted to try DIY. My total investment was only $13 and wow, what a difference! No more struggle to keep from overheating the space and the chicks seemed entirely content with their manufactured hen. It was literally 18F one night and I went out to check on them. The pad was enough heat to keep their water from freezing. Not a peep to be heard, they were all snuggled up under their hen and then running around the next morning in freezing weather like it was nothing. I put the lamp away. Maybe someday I'll have need of it but not for my typical batches of 4-10.
 
Heating Pad (Mama Heating Pad by Blooie) warm & safe

X2 Heating pad works very well!

@debid mentioned heating pad does makes a difference. Heat lamps can be dangerous and need to be fiddled with. Having a "cave" chicks seem more content, have a natural sleep/wake cycle (not up all night with a light) and I've also found they feather in a little bit quicker.

Check out @Blooie thread here - lots of great ideas
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...er-picture-heavy-update.956958/#post-14882145
@aart also has a version here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/
 
Heat lamp brooders are designed for large groups of chicks in large spaces (think 25+ in a 6' cardboard ring in a barn). Heat plate or DIY version is far superior for smaller groups of chicks.
Ditto Dat^^^

Heating pads are very nice, I love my flat version with adjustable legs.
But they do have a capacity limit, had 16 under my 12x24 and I think that's about max as they just barely fit when they still needed heat. Ambient temps can make a difference.
 
Ditto Dat^^^

Heating pads are very nice, I love my flat version with adjustable legs.
But they do have a capacity limit, had 16 under my 12x24 and I think that's about max as they just barely fit when they still needed heat. Ambient temps can make a difference.

I saw your updated version - looks good!
I may have to work on a similar design. I make mine more like a "cave" with a heap of bedding on top, which of course the chicks kick off:)

Hopefully:fl I will have chicks mid-March, they will be outside. Our temps are all over the place this time of year, could be in the 70s or 20s - who knows, so the cave works well.
 

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