Heat plate questions

[masonrenosolomon]

Hi. I’m getting 21 chicks tomorrow and bought a heat plate for 50 to 55 chicks. Figured they’d need more room as they grow. My question, and it’s probably a silly one, is: if I put pine shavings under it will it become a fire hazard if shavings come in contact with hot plate? N if not will the plate have to be higher if there’s a couple inches of shavings under it? Thanks for your time. Never raised chickens. Did raise parrots for 10 years but used a heating pad wrapped with a towel under the aquarium for chicks when I pulled them to hand Fed at a day to 3 days old.

 

[paneubert]

It will not be a fire hazard since the plate does not get anywhere near the combustion temperature of the paper/chips/shavings.

 

[masonrenosolomon]

It will not be a fire hazard since the plate does not get anywhere near the combustion temperature of the paper/chips/shavings.

 

[masonrenosolomon]

That’s so good to know! Guess it was a stupid question. . I’m ocd about things. Fire is one of those things. I read Somewhere people said the temp burned them n their chicks heads. And somewhere else they said the top part of their plate,s plastic bubbled up and they sent it back. Probably just a bad plate. I get paranoid when it comes to fire. Thank for you quick response

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would make sure to test the plate before the chicks arrive and make sure that it's not running too hot or not heating up at all.

If it's hot enough to set wood on fire it would likely set the chicks on fire too.

 

[aart]

I would make sure to test the plate before the chicks arrive and make sure that it's not running too hot or not heating up at all.

Ditto Dat^^^absolutely.

@masonrenosolomon what brand of plate is it?

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[masonrenosolomon]

Thanks guys for your response. I’m sure I’ll be asking a lot more questions. Especially when I my hubby m I start building a coop. Its a Innovations Heating plate from Holland. But got it in the States. That’s what the box says anyways. It’s the large for 50 to 55 chicks. Black base with yellow legs. N I did have it plugged in all day. The center is very hot to the touch. Hope they don’t get burned. .

 

[paneubert]

Sounds like one of the couple rebrandings of the "Premier 1" plate. I have one that is called "Comfort" or something like that. But they are all the same. Black body with yellow adjustable legs. Mine is also very hot to the touch. But I have very sensitive fingers. I think my laser thermometer read something around 160. Chicks did just fine under it. They still have access to it in the coop for another few weeks.

 

[masonrenosolomon]

Good to know! Thanks panubert. I was getting a little stressed. Mine was tagged with hot gun at 130 n more around edges n 150 in the middle. Now I have to figure out how high to adjust it. My daughter is in labor now (at home 15 min contractions) n I have our 2 grandsons here. Chicks coming tomorrow. Hope our new grand daughter waits to be born after I get my chicks n settle them in . N post office will probably call at 630 am to pick them up. Ugh. .

 

[flygirl1973]

I have a premier brooder plate and my chicks are 1 week old today! It was 127 when I hit it with my meat thermometer. I was concerned they would burn their backs but they seemed to do fine. I have mine over pine shavings and of course the girls still squirmed up onto each other in places to get to that warmth since I set it up angled back to front. My question is how do I know when to raise it? They are currently in our shop and the heat lamp that we have installed as well seems to keep some of them laid out under that and some under the brooder. There are 15 in all and it’s for 20 chicks, there seems to be at least 2” above them when they actually lay down so I don’t think it needs to go higher...but if they’re already laying outside it....how do I know? and when can I stop doing the heat lamp and the brooder? I would like them to get used to a sleep schedule. I know, so many questions! Thanks. Y’all!