Heating plate instead of lamp

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

It’s only 3 pages. Read back. I was focusing on the 1500W. Someone is trying hard to make heat lamps look really bad compared to the heat plates.

I’ve used plenty of heat lamps but have also had a few heat lamp disasters so I like the piece of mind the brooder plate gives me. No setting my brooder on fire or having the bulb explode again.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

This is my brooder I don’t have the size dimensions but ives raised hundreds of biddies in it without any issue even in the dead of winter. The plastic bags definitely make a difference. (That’s not a heat lamp just a regular light) It’s currently 52 degrees and it’s getting down to 42 tonight and so far they’re all running around scratching and eating/drinking.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

So far i’m really happy with the plate!!

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

I just ordered chicks from Cackle Hatchery and one of the boxes I had to check when completing my order was to state that I would not use a heat plate with the chicks. I didn’t pan on it so I agreed. I have no idea why but apparently they don’t recommend them We get new chicks about every 3 years and have always used a heat bulb until they feather and have not had any issues. Buy quality bulbs and you should be fine

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

One more question my brooder is outside but I normally plastic up the sides most of the way (leaving room for ventilation) will the plate keep them warm enough?

I keep a thermometer in my chick box and make sure it’s a the recommended temp for each stage of growth. I also keep my lamp at one end not in the middle so the chicks can move away or closer as they desire

 

[WallyG74]

I just ordered chicks from Cackle Hatchery and one of the boxes I had to check when completing my order was to state that I would not use a heat plate with the chicks. I didn’t pan on it so I agreed. I have no idea why but apparently they don’t recommend them We get new chicks about every 3 years and have always used a heat bulb until they feather and have not had any issues. Buy quality bulbs and you should be fine

Agreed. There’s a common sense checklist that goes along with using a lamp.
-quality
-don’t let it get wet
-no banging around
-don’t put all your trust in that clamp. Secure it by clamping over a screw, etc
-definitely place on one end so chicks can self adjust to the amount of heat

I’m sure there’s more but that’s what came to mind in just a couple seconds.

 

[BuddingGardener]

I ordered four chicks from Cackle and followed their instructions to use a heat lamp for the first two weeks. I offered a heat plate on the side so they could have their choice of warmth. No issues at all. At a little over two weeks we removed the lamp, turned on a dim nightlight and kept the heater plate in with them. They're now just over three weeks old and doing well with this setup.

 

[aart]

I use a heat lamp(60W red reptile bulb) over the feed/water station during the day for the first week, they sleep under the plate.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

Agreed. There’s a common sense checklist that goes along with using a lamp.
-quality
-don’t let it get wet
-no banging around
-don’t put all your trust in that clamp. Secure it by clamping over a screw, etc
-definitely place on one end so chicks can self adjust to the amount of heat

I’m sure there’s more but that’s what came to mind in just a couple seconds.

I followed all of these and still had one explode. I think it just comes down to luck.

 

[henless]

I use a Premier heat plate or heating pad. I've used both down to 18* degrees outside with no problems. I've never used a heat lamp or brooded indoors.