HELP - dead chicks??

[StinkyAcres]

The brooder plate surface temp reads 138 with my heat gun I’ve checked it multiple times, I have it set up correctly. Surface beneath the brooder plate reads 91 and the chicks themselves read 95-97. The cool end outside of the brooder is 70.

I think that's normal. I've never used a brooder plate but I have an infrared heater for my ducks (it's specifically made for poultry) and it's designed to get up to 160-180F on the lens. I can touch it with my hands and it isn't bad.

 

[rosemarythyme]

With the brooder plate, if it's hot to the touch but not so hot that you can't hold your hand against it, then it's working fine. As long as the room stays above roughly 50F you can then have the plate as the sole heat source, as long as the chicks know to use it (sounds like they do). Best to have the plate set at an angle so 2 legs are higher than the other 2, so the higher end is high enough that chicks can stand and touch it, and lower end is low enough that chicks sitting under it can touch it. That way they can better regulate how warm they want to be.

 

[BackyardChickenLady15]

With the brooder plate, if it's hot to the touch but not so hot that you can't hold your hand against it, then it's working fine. As long as the room stays above roughly 50F you can then have the plate as the sole heat source, as long as the chicks know to use it (sounds like they do). Best to have the plate set at an angle so 2 legs are higher than the other 2, so the higher end is high enough that chicks can stand and touch it, and lower end is low enough that chicks sitting under it can touch it. That way they can better regulate how warm they want to be.

Thank you for this feedback!! I have two of the legs angled up

 

[BackyardChickenLady15]

I think that's normal. I've never used a brooder plate but I have an infrared heater for my ducks (it's specifically made for poultry) and it's designed to get up to 160-180F on the lens. I can touch it with my hands and it isn't bad.

This one says infrared, too. This is really helpful feedback - thank you! Glad to know these numbers aren’t crazy

 

[BackyardChickenLady15]

seeing all you are doing for your littles I know you have best intentions for your them, and they will be happy and well taken care of. GOOD LUCK

Hey thank you - I appreciate your responses so much!