We first jumped into the chicken world last fall when a family member gave us a large assortment of adult chickens, a rooster, and 3 turkeys. Now that we have successfully kept them alive, happy & thriving over the winter, we've decided to add a few chicks to our farm. We have one of those radiant heat coop heaters available, which is much safer than a heat lamp. Is it crazy to try to use one of those as a heat source? My thought is to get a feather duster and hang in front of the heater, to mimic a hen. I brought it in the house, in the area where our brooder will be, and put a digital thermometer 2-3" in front of it. On high, it's staying around 91-92*. Is this a crazy idea? I've searched, and haven't seen anyone using anything like that, so maybe this newbie is way off base. Thanks!
Search for Sweeter Heater, ecoglow or premier1 heatplate. Is it something like that? You'd have to set it up pointing at the floor of the brooder so that the chicks can crawl under it. Look at the pictures. If you do this make sure that it is open on all sides (or at least on both long sides) so that chicks can't get trapped under it when they don't remember the way out.
Is it like a sweeter heater? Http://www.sweeterheater.com you don't need the feather duster. get rid of the feather duster. the chicks will be fine without a feather duster. the Heat from the radiant heater will mimic the hen just fine. just use the heat & get rid of the feather duster. Karen
