Heating plate instead of lamp

[ShawFarmers]

Did you have to introduce them to it or are they smart enough?? My last heat lamp exploded while in use so I really want to swap.

My heat lamp exploded too!!

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

My heat lamp exploded too!!

It’s was scary!! Thankfully everyone was ok but definitely made me hesitant to ever use one again.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I purchased the heat plate but I can’t find anywhere about it not working as good under 50 degrees. Am I over looking it? It’s gonna get 40-43 degrees for 3 nights. My brooder is outside but I plan on having it covered. Will this be ok?

 

[RoyalChick]

I purchased the heat plate but I can’t find anywhere about it not working as good under 50 degrees. Am I over looking it? It’s gonna get 40-43 degrees for 3 nights. My brooder is outside but I plan on having it covered. Will this be ok?

Mine were fine down to cooler than that. They go under it to warm up and then come out and run around.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

Mine were fine down to cooler than that. They go under it to warm up and then come out and run around.

Ok thanks!! One more question what kind of bedding did you use? I always use pine shavings can I use this with a heating plate?

 

[RoyalChick]

Ok thanks!! One more question what kind of bedding did you use? I always use pine shavings can I use this with a heating plate?

I use the coarse pine flakes from Tractor Supply. I prefer the coarse ones to the fine ones because I think they are less likely to eat them in the first few days before they have learned what food looks like.
For the first 24 hours I lay paper towels on top of the shavings.
The shavings and paper towels are fine under the plate. I even pile the shavings up so there is a cozy nest under there (the babies kick them around in minutes and destroy my nest but hey ho!).

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I use the coarse pine flakes from Tractor Supply. I prefer the coarse ones to the fine ones because I think they are less likely to eat them in the first few days before they have learned what food looks like.
For the first 24 hours I lay paper towels on top of the shavings.
The shavings and paper towels are fine under the plate. I even pile the shavings up so there is a cozy nest under there (the babies kick them around in minutes and destroy my nest but hey ho!).

Perfect thank you so much! I’ve never used a heat plate before so i’m a bit clueless about it.

 

[RoyalChick]

Perfect thank you so much! I’ve never used a heat plate before so i’m a bit clueless about it.

I do know some brands say not to use below 50 degrees. The one I got said nothing about that and there are folk in BYC (sorry, I forget who) who have experience using them below freezing.
I keep mine in the house for about a week until I am sure they are healthy and know how to eat and drink, and know how to get themselves under the plate, so I haven’t experienced using the plate in cold weather on a 1-2 day chick. But now I see how they use it I would be relaxed about that too. They treat it like a mother hen - running under it when they get cold or scared.

 

[MTChickaMomma]

We have this same heat plate and the chicks figured it out very quickly, we had a couple of chicks who were bigger, about one week old and the rest were 3 days old, so we have the plate on an incline (top peg and middle peg) so the smaller ones can get closer and the bigger ones can move under the taller part. Some of the bigger chicks do seem to like the challenge of jumping on top of it, but so far, no injuries

 

[WallyG74]

Who uses a 1,500 watt heat lamp???? That’s insane. It would also cook your chicks instantly. 250 watts is plenty and is exactly the size TSC sells. I’ve never seen any other size in the store.