Heat plate setting

[56Chicks]

Hello,
I have 6 one week-olds under a Producer’s Pride heat plate. When I set it up this morning I put the front on a relatively elevated setting so that the chicks felt comfortable walking in—they were hesitant to walk under. The thermometer told me The temperature under the plate, not at the very center, was around 92-93 degrees. The chicks spent quite a bit of time under it, sticking out their heads to look around and coming out to eat and drink. Knowing the usual approach involves placing the plate closer to the chicks’ backs, I lowered the plate, but I am wondering whether they will get too hot? When the back is placed even lower, it looks too low for them to escape through that side if necessary. Should I keep the plate at the usual setting or should I raise it as high as it can be while keeping them comfortable? I am so worried about chilling or overheating them and not realizing it because they are harder to see under the plate! I would be so grateful for any input. (And thank you for being so patient with my first-time chick “mama” anxiety!)

 

[rosemarythyme]

Set it so one side is lower and the other side is higher - low side can be as low as the height of chicks crouching under it, higher as high as them standing upright to touch it. If legs are not adjustable you can use bricks to rest the legs on to elevate them.

 

[56Chicks]

I found that at the lower settings the temperature got to be close to 100 and the chicks were not coming out to fly and play as usual. I raised the plate to reach a temperature around 90-91 and they still are spending time under the plate but are coming out to eat, drink and flutter around more. It seems this might be healthier for them?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes you want them to go in and come out, not spend all their time under there.