Heat Lamp or Heating Plate?

[Living_Legend]

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Awesome, thanks. I’ve got 6 chicks on order and will get the Premier1.

I recommend ordering a couple spare legs while you are ordering. After many uses, I've had a couple break and they don't work well with 3 legs.
And get the cover too. That keeps them from roosting and pooping on the plate.

 

[lazy gardener]

I am a penny pincher, and prefer the MHP method. It is a method of using a heating pad to make an adjustable "cave" which the chicks snuggle inside. It is much more economical than a heat plate, and will brood up to 24 chicks. @Blooie has 2 articles and a thread which cover the process very well.

No heat lamp for me unless I am brooding more than 50 chicks!

 

[Living_Legend]

I've also heard that someone use the heat plate no pasty butt someone use a light and have pasty butt..... coincidence... maybe

 

[Kiki]

I've also heard that someone use the heat plate no pasty butt someone use a light and have pasty butt..... coincidence... maybe

A light is sometimes hard to get away from.
Too much heat causes so many problems, including pasty butt.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I am a penny pincher, and prefer the MHP method. It is a method of using a heating pad to make an adjustable "cave" which the chicks snuggle inside. It is much more economical than a heat plate, and will brood up to 24 chicks. @Blooie has 2 articles and a thread which cover the process very well.

No heat lamp for me unless I am brooding more than 50 chicks!

How many watts is your heat blanket? It is hard to beat a 22 watt heat plate . The smallest one is 15 watts.
They're also than an electric blanket.
https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/heating-plates-and-covers

 

[Noles8588]

I recommend ordering a couple spare legs while you are ordering. After many uses, I've had a couple break and they don't work well with 3 legs.
And get the cover too. That keeps them from roosting and pooping on the plate.

Thanks for the advice on the extra legs and the cover. I’ll get them as well.

 

[Noles8588]

I’m usually a penny pincher as well, but when it comes to any type of tools or supplies I usually make the investment. It’s cheaper in the long run.

 

[Noles8588]

Since you all have such good heat advice.......I’ve got a couple of other starter questions. Any particular brand of starter food anyone had good success with? Also what should I use for the floor...pine shavings? Thanks again.

 

[lazy gardener]

I searched high and low, and could not find the wattage used by the SunbeamXL. However, it heats a foot print approximately 12 x 24, less if being bent into the typical U shaped form. You would loose about 2" from each end, so about 12 x 20. I'm guessing that the wattage used would vary depending on whether it was used on high or low setting. (It has 6 settings) I also assume that it would cycle on and off to maintain the temp that the thermostat was set at.