Heat lamp vs heating pad warmer

[Uncgdc]

Hi all,
I’m getting my first three chicks tomorrow and have a question about keeping them warm. I made a warmer out of a heating pad but find it is only about 80 degrees under the pad (in a 65 degree basement measured about 3 inches from pad on the brooder floor). I’m curious if anyone uses supplemental heat For the first week (via heat lamp) in addition to the warming pad. Or is the area under your warmers sufficient and/or hotter than I’m able to achieve?
thanks!

 

[igorsMistress]

Did you wrap it in a towel? The heating pad I mean. Can you close off the cave a bit more and make it warmer under there? How long after you set it up did you take the temperature?

 

[Uncgdc]

I only have a towel on top. And good point on closing the cave. I’ll wrap the pad and close off the cave on three sides with a towel and reassess the temp. Thanks!

 

[Uncgdc]

Looks like closing it in brought the temp up to 88. Thanks for the help!

 

[DragonGirls]

No you will not need a heat lamp with a MHP (mama heat pad) or heat pIate.
I think you will find the temperature of the actual pad is higher than 88*, the chicks will press their backs up to the underside of the pad for the warmth,so the ambient temperature on the floor of the brooder will read less but they will be fine!
just make sure that the chicks can get out from the cave from more than one side.
Enjoy your little ones!

 

[Uncgdc]

Great. Thanks for the advice!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Heating pads work on direct contact, you'd need to measure the surface temperature of the pad and not the ambient temperature around it, if you're concerned it's not hot enough.

I use the far less scientific method of putting my hand on it. If I can easily feel the heat, it's hot enough. Plus your basement is warmer than the environment my last chicks were raised in - so no supplemental heat is needed.