Heat

[MaceeEidson]

You're welcome, I ran myself ragged learning the ropes with heat. I personally like to have options, so I keep a ceramic heat emitter around (if needed) and an extra plate that way, if one malfunctions I've got a backup or I can alternate between the two and extend the life of the heating elements which do wear out over time, that is if you ever plan to do it again.

That’s a great idea! If I do this again it’ll be awhile after I recover from this ha

 

[rosemarythyme]

Quiet and calm is exactly what you want at night - they've settled down for the evening and are content under their heat source.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I’m thinking it’s a win but my anxiety is telling me to worry. Any tips or ideas welcome! I just want happy healthy babies

I also think it is a win. What you want in a brooder is a warm enough place in the coolest conditions and a cool enough place in the warmest conditions. It doesn't matter how you provide that as long as you can do it safely. My 3' x 6' brooder is in the coop, the ambient temperature there can go from below freezing to over 70 Fahrenheit in less than a day. I manage mine with a heat lamp, one end can have ice in it while the other end is toasty. When it warms up they go to the cooler end so they don't overheat. Some people manage that with a heat plate like you have and some use a heating pad. I put chicks in mine straight from the incubator and they manage the heat themselves as long as I provide options whether ambient is below freezing or in the heat of summer.

In the garage with a background temperature of 75 F it should be easy to set it up with that heat plate so they have a warm spot to go to and have a cooler spot if they need it. There is nothing wrong with it being easy, I like the idea of easy.

From a safety aspect, if you use a heat lamp do not use the clamp that comes with it, that can fail if someone or something bumps it. Secure it in place with wire or chain. Make sure it is secure. If you use a heating pad don't use an old one that is cracked, the wiring inside could break. And don't get one with an automatic shut-off, that is not what you want. About the only warning for a heat plate I have is that some manufacturers say to not depend on their model if the ambient temperature is below 50 F. Some can operate in colder temperatures and your 75 F is plenty warm enough anyway. For your situation I consider a heat plate an excellent choice.