Heat Plates vs Heat Lamps

[seminolewind]

I read this whole thread last night, then ordered me a heat plate!!!! Seems to be logical that it would be more hen like. And I think that when my chicks are outside under a hen, seems they don't get any light either.

I'm excited about getting this plate!

 

[BrickWall Honey]

I read this whole thread last night, then ordered me a heat plate!!!! Seems to be logical that it would be more hen like. And I think that when my chicks are outside under a hen, seems they don't get any light either.

I'm excited about getting this plate!

After having ours now for 7 days after hatch, the chicks prefer the plate 9-0 over the heat lamp. The newer Brinseas' have snap end plates instead of threaded rods. Tomorrow, plan on raising ours one level. Looks like depending on breed, one level higher each 7-10 days.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Can you elaborate on the difference in the snap end plates compared to the threaded rods? Like them better or worse? How do they work specifically? Sounds like they wouldn't have as many options for height adjustment? Is that good or bad? (Which would you prefer?, etc.)

 

[Happy Chooks]

Thank you! Very helpful.

Just for me to clarify, are you saying that even if it's in the 20's you didn't have to supplement with extra heat unless they were in their first week?

I wouldn't brood in this weather either..but in our spring it can be in the 60's one night and in the 30's the next so it's totally unpredictable until around June.

If it's in the 20's I do supplement with a regular light bulb for a week. It gives off just enough heat to make them comfortable. You have to watch them and see if they are comfortable. If they get poopy butt, they are getting chilled. If you brood indoors, this isn't an issue.

 

[Happy Chooks]

As for cleaning the top of the EcoGlow, I just scrape the dried poop chunks off with a stick, then spray with windex and wipe. It's pretty easy to clean.

 

[Cebarmlds]

I have the Brinsea Ecoglow and love it, it's much more natural than a heat lamp. It gets poopy but doesn't everything with chicks
My latest chicks were raised by a broody momma and that's best but if you don't have a broody the ecoglow is great!

 

[ChickCrazed]

I've been using the eco-glo also for my first batch of chicks and they have had no issues, they seem to love it. They are 3.5 weeks old now. The only question I have is what people think about the 20 chick estimate for the small version. I have 3 large fowl chicks and at 3.5 weeks they take up most of the space under there. I don't see how you could ever fit 20! The reason I am asking is that I would like to try brooding more at some point. What is the max number anyone has tried brooding under one of them?

 

[Chickens R Us]

Just posting to follow. Very interesting.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I've been using the eco-glo also for my first batch of chicks and they have had no issues, they seem to love it.  They are 3.5 weeks old now.  The only question I have is what people think about the 20 chick estimate for the small version.  I have 3 large fowl chicks and at 3.5 weeks they take up most of the space under there.  I don't see how you could ever fit 20!  The reason I am asking is that I would like to try brooding more at some point.  What is the max number anyone has tried brooding under one of them?

I've had 15 under mine and it was pretty darn full. Now I have the big one too, so I pull that out for larger hatches.

 

[aart]

I've been using the eco-glo also for my first batch of chicks and they have had no issues, they seem to love it. They are 3.5 weeks old now. The only question I have is what people think about the 20 chick estimate for the small version. I have 3 large fowl chicks and at 3.5 weeks they take up most of the space under there. I don't see how you could ever fit 20! The reason I am asking is that I would like to try brooding more at some point. What is the max number anyone has tried brooding under one of them?

I've had 15 under mine and it was pretty darn full. Now I have the big one too, so I pull that out for larger hatches.

So just like the prefab chicken coops, population is over estimated