Heating for Chicks

[Wendy84]

My chicks arrived today! Unfortunately my heat lamp seems to have disappeared and I will not be able to get one for them until Friday (I was not expecting them to arrive early). Would a small heater be ok for a few days if I were to put up a partition in their new home so that they could escape the heat if needed? The heater also has temperature settings and will turn off once it reaches the desired temp. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I suppose a small heater would work, if you can make sure you're not going to over heat the brooder. I've had to brood chicks in a pinch, I've used gallon jugs filled with hot water (they need to be re-filled quite often), rice socks warmed in the microwave (they stay warm for a surprisingly long time, but still need to be reheated) and I've used a heating pad under one end of the brooder (the most trouble free method). I now have 2 heat lamps, just in case I misplace one. Good luck to you!

 

[Wendy84]

Thank you very much for the suggestions. I'll be sure to keep an eye on the temp with the heater. It will just be temporary. I will definately give the rice socks a try, I have a ton of both!