Heat plate outside?

[aart]

I use the premier heat plate. Sized for about 8-10 chicks

So the extra small 10x10" size?(says "up to 15 chicks")

Heat plate mfg population capacities are as inaccurate as the tiny dollhouse chicken coops. Can depend on ambient temps, but always better to go bigger.

My 12x24 just barely held 16 chicks until they were big enough not to need it.

 

[jgarner1327]

Make sure those fixtures are rated for heat bulbs(ceramic rather than plastic sockets).

OK, thanks.

 

[Blooie]

I tried two "flat screen" coop heaters but it was still freezing in there this winter so I got two overhead shop lamps (very cheap at Home Depot) and put red heat lamps in them. They keep it warm even on the really cold nights. Warm enough now that I don't need them. I can use one or two, I'm using one heavy duty extension cord for each heat lamp. I hung them about three feet above the laying boxes. Before I got those, it was freezing cold in the coop, colder in the coop than outside!

Remember that commercial brooding plates, flat panel heaters, and heating pads do not work like lamps - they are not intended to heat the entire space the chicks occupy, they warm by direct contact. So the whole brooding area won’t feel warm, nor should it if using them. A broody hen usually sets in spring, but late fall and winter broods aren’t uncommon. She doesn’t warm their entire environment either - she just warms them as they feel they need it.

I brood outdoors here in Northwestern Wyoming, while our springtime chick season temps are in the twenties, dropping into the teens at times, with sideways blowing snow. The only heat source mine had is a heating pad “cave”, and every single batch it amazes me how little time the chicks actually spend under or near it. Most of the time they are running around, exploring, watching the adults and learning, eating, playing, and exercising. They duck under Mama Heating Pad for a quick warmup or if they get spooked, then they’re right back out. They love to sit on top surveying their domain or catching a nap, and as the sun goes down they go underneath and purr as they settle in to sleep the whole night through. Their environment isn’t warm, but they are, just like with a broody hen.

 

[debid]

I also have a heating pad hen that I built after reading the massive thread on the subject. Mine has helped raise two batches of "outdoors from the start" chicks, two years apart. No problems.

I get mine when it's still plenty cold out (teens at night sometimes) but can also swing up to the middle 80s. This method allows me to keep them warm enough when it's cold without a danger of overheating the space when it's warm.

The pad I have is a standard size as I never put more than six in the grow out coop and only pulls 50 watts on high. That's all that is required for contact heat.

 

[PolergirlOH]

I used a Premier Heat plate outside in an uninsulated (but draft free) coop and my chicks thrived even in subzero temps. YMMV but I don’t think the temps you notes will present an issue

 

[Sg4]

Yes! This is why I'm so excited to have them outside. I want them to have the freedom to play and learn their surroundings. And the overall easier transition with the adults.

Remember that commercial brooding plates, flat panel heaters, and heating pads do not work like lamps - they are not intended to heat the entire space the chicks occupy, they warm by direct contact. So the whole brooding area won’t feel warm, nor should it if using them. A broody hen usually sets in spring, but late fall and winter broods aren’t uncommon. She doesn’t warm their entire environment either - she just warms them as they feel they need it.

I brood outdoors here in Northwestern Wyoming, while our springtime chick season temps are in the twenties, dropping into the teens at times, with sideways blowing snow. The only heat source mine had is a heating pad “cave”, and every single batch it amazes me how little time the chicks actually spend under or near it. Most of the time they are running around, exploring, watching the adults and learning, eating, playing, and exercising. They duck under Mama Heating Pad for a quick warmup or if they get spooked, then they’re right back out. They love to sit on top surveying their domain or catching a nap, and as the sun goes down they go underneath and purr as they settle in to sleep the whole night through. Their environment isn’t warm, but they are, just like with a broody hen.

 

[jgarner1327]

Hello BYC friends! After raising 3 flocks in the house, I'm never doing it again! lol I love being close to the babies, but now that I've got my "chicken cam" up and running, I'm moving to the great outdoors this year! The natural way I've got plenty of space to set them up in my current coop/run for easier integration with the big girls. A lot of people seem to like the heating pad cave method. I've always used a heat plate in my brooder. I'm thinking that using the heat plate outside would be just as good? I do not have electricity inside the coop, so I will need to run an extension cord. Any thoughts or suggestions? Outside temps are averaging mid 80s during the day, 60s at night. So I doubt they will need too much extra heat. Thanks!

 

[jgarner1327]

I don't think the heat plates are for outdoor use unless inside a structure like a coop.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

I don't think the heat plates are for outdoor use unless inside a structure like a coop.

Right. I wouldn't suggest getting one wet to see what happens. I use ours outdoors inside an enclosed brooder. It's not in the coop, but it is under cover and protected from the elements enough to remain dry.