Heat lamp vs electric brooder

[FluffAndFeather]

Hey y’all! I’m getting chicks for my first time and should I get a heat lamp or electric brooder? I am getting 1 small batch of 3 chicks, that’s it. I won’t get more until they die. Also other tips for first timers would be awesome

 

[NanaK]

I have used a heat lamp and an electric brooder plate. I prefer the brooder plate because it allows normal day/night light cycles. This seems more natural to me.

 

[FluffAndFeather]

I have used a heat lamp and an electric brooder plate. I prefer the brooder plate because it allows normal day/night light cycles. This seems more natural to me.

Ok! Thank you so much

 

[NanaK]

Good luck with the babies and welcome to BYC!

 

[FrostRanger]

Brooder plates are safer and pretty much eliminates the need to fuss with the temperature. When I first got chicks I went with a heat lamp. That only lasted a day before I went back and brought a brooder plate. I couldn't for the life of me get the temp right and it made the room hot. After I switched, I was happier and so were the chicks. Save yourself some money and headache and get a brooder plate from the start

 

[Ridgerunner]

Are you brooding in your house or outside? What does your brooder look like? I generally recommend to not use a heat lamp in your house or in a climate controlled area. I use a heat lamp outside and it works well to manage the temperature swings we have outside but that means you need a larger brooder so parts can cool off if the ambient temperature gets too high.

Different things can work but your circumstances might determine what works best.

 

[FluffAndFeather]

Brooder plates are safer and pretty much eliminates the need to fuss with the temperature. When I first got chicks I went with a heat lamp. That only lasted a day before I went back and brought a brooder plate. I couldn't for the life of me get the temp right and it made the room hot. After I switched, I was happier and so were the chicks. Save yourself some money and headache and get a brooder plate from the start

Thank you so much!

 

[FluffAndFeather]

Are you brooding in your house or outside? What does your brooder look like? I generally recommend to not use a heat lamp in your house or in a climate controlled area. I use a heat lamp outside and it works well to manage the temperature swings we have outside but that means you need a larger brooder so parts can cool off if the ambient temperature gets too high.

Different things can work but your circumstances might determine what works best.

Hi! I will either have it in my garage or house. They both stay around 60-70 degrees. I was gonna use a large storage bin as a brooder box.

 

[AntiqueB]

Brooder plate and pet (or human) weewee pads for the bottom. Easy clean up of tiny chick poops!

 

[FluffAndFeather]

Brooder plate and pet (or human) weewee pads for the bottom. Easy clean up of tiny chick poops!

That’s very smart to use doggy pads! Thanks