Heating plates for baby chicks

[aart]

I found the top got too soiled at least once a day. I just hatched 15 chicks a couple days ago so suspect I may be using both of my brooder plates eventually here.

I found that my 12x24 'plate' holds 16 chicks for long enough to feather out.
My tolerance for 'soiled' might be different than yours
I do scrape most of it off every few days, the cardboard and underneath.

 

[CatWhisperer]

I found that my 12x24 'plate' holds 16 chicks for long enough to feather out.
My tolerance for 'soiled' might be different than yours
I do scrape most of it off every few days, the cardboard and underneath.

Yeah, being a veterinarian and a surgical nurse I have a pretty low tolerance for chicken poo in the brooder or soiled litter boxes (which get scooped every time I walk by). Poop boards in the coop with PDZ get scooped every morning too.

 

[aart]

Poop boards in the coop with PDZ get scooped every morning too.

That I do.
.....and now brood chicks in coop a week after hatch.

 

[Mimi13]

I use the heat plate without the top too. I place paper towels on top and set the feed and water on top. It adds a little more room to the brooder. The chicks use the ramp for a little while, but don’t need it long. I keep them in the house for about 2 weeks (just because I want constant access to them) and I usually change out the paper towel each time I’m in there with them...along with picking up the droppings in the shavings.

Once they go to the coop, along with their heat plate, the paper towel comes off and the feed and water are placed on the ground within their protected area. It’s at that point I only scrape it off every other day at the same time I clean underneath the heat plate. The top doesn’t get as nasty simply because there is more for them to interact with and explore.

When they don’t need it anymore, I scrub and sanitize it and put it away until next time.

 

[Organic Gal]

They do enjoy hanging out on top, especially as they grow. I personally like to use Glad Press'nSeal on top, makes for easy clean up and the chicks still get to play on it.

View attachment 2036380

That's what I used on mine. They certainly do poop on it.

 

[samiam4863]

Lots of people use plates.
Just make sure you get one bigger than the manufacturer suggests for number of chicks.
The population numbers for plates is as bad(overestimated) as it is for those cute little dollhouse coops.

We are looking at getting a heat plate for our new bunch of chicks come April. We questioned the size, concerned about as they grow. Generally we get 15 chicks. We were going to go with the 12x12. Do you have experience in the sizing of these?

 

[aart]

We are looking at getting a heat plate for our new bunch of chicks come April. We questioned the size, concerned about as they grow. Generally we get 15 chicks. We were going to go with the 12x12. Do you have experience in the sizing of these?

Post #11 above.