Heat Lamp or Heat Mat?

[Wyorp Rock]

It's the best yet...can lift it up to check the birds without having to 'rebuild' the thing every time, and the smaller mesh on rack eliminates heads getting stuck.
Think I should edit that article and delete the old stuff?

The editing is up to you - I like seeing the original design myself, but you may want to add a few more notes in red, detailing the smaller mesh rack works better because....
That sort of thing

I've never had to lift mine up to check the peepers, they all tumble out if I come by, but I can see the benefit of having that option. ( I can point my run camera on the babies at night to see if all is well, but still try to sneak out there too)

 

[lazy gardener]

Once I tried the MHP method (see @Blooie 's article and thread in her signature line) I never went back to the heat lamps. Last season, I brooded 48 chicks at one time. Instead of using a heat lamp, I bought an extra heat pad, and had (2) 12 x 24 pads set up, and used a third 12 x 15 occasionally. The chicks thrived, and weaned themselves off the heat by 4 - 5 weeks, with outside temps being as low as mid 20's. I'll never go back to a heat lamp again.

 

[Molpet]

I also use the heating pad cave... next best thing to a live hen

 

[aart]

I've never had to lift mine up to check the peepers, they all tumble out if I come by, but I can see the benefit of having that option. ( I can point my run camera on the babies at night to see if all is well, but still try to sneak out there too)

No camera here....I like to lift and check, found a lethargic one that needed attention, and a dead one that way once, and to clean under there.

 

[JaeG]

I'm stuck with heat lamps because any kind of electrical heating pad (suitable for keeping chicks warm) are ridiculously expensive here.

 

[BYCforlife]

I had many problems with my first batch of chicks, all I can say is faulty thermometer. -_-

 

[aart]

I'm stuck with heat lamps because any kind of electrical heating pad (suitable for keeping chicks warm) are ridiculously expensive here.

Even human heating pads?

 

[losttexan]

Heat mats (panels) - without a doubt. Absolutely no questions.

 

[JaeG]

Even human heating pads?

Especially human heating pads/blankets! A dog/cat electric heat pad is $86NZD which works out about $63USD. Human ones I'd be looking at $99NZD ($73USD) for a little one designed to relieve back pain!

 

[aart]

Especially human heating pads/blankets! A dog/cat electric heat pad is $86NZD which works out about $63USD. Human ones I'd be looking at $99NZD ($73USD) for a little one designed to relieve back pain!

Yikes!....price of paradise?