Help with brooder heat plate!

[BarnyardChaos]

I finally took the plunge and bought a brooder heat plate, Comfort brand WP-60 12x24 size, for my new bigger brooder. Got it all set up, plugged in, and it's HOT!!! I mean, burn-my-hand HOT! So once again, I did not do my research before buying it. There is NO contact information for the manufacturer, and I cannot locate a retailer who has the optional temperature regulator.

I gather that to work correctly, the chicks' backs must make contact with the surface of the heat plate, and the website says it's set for 125-deg-F. Isn't that too hot? I dug out my temperature regulator for the seedling heat mat and used HVAC metal tape to attach the sensor to the underside of the heat plate. It registered 136-degrees. It's for germinating seeds, so the highest temperature I can set the regulator to is 108-degrees, so I did that. Will that be warm enough, or still too hot? What temperature should these things be on the surface, anyway?

It's a good thing I've already got a smaller brooder setup with a heat lamp, and all temps are perfect and ready to go. I've got eggs hatching tonight and tomorrow. I'd planned to move them to the bigger brooder after a few days, but that plan may be on hold if I can't get this thing figured out soon.

 

[Ridgeback825]

I just checked mine and it's 125.6 on the bottom side and 85 on the top. My chicks love it and don't have any burnt heads.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

I just checked mine and it's 125.6 on the bottom side and 85 on the top. My chicks love it and don't have any burnt heads.

Thank you, good to know! I did look up the recommended temperature for these heat plates for chicks, and Google tells me it's 125-deg-F. So.... I'll contact the seller on Monday to see if they can send a replacement heat plate. Meanwhile, I've just ordered a temperature regulator to plug it into with a wider temperature range; seems like a smart move to use with any heat source for chicks.

 

[Ridgeback825]

Anytime! It might need a burn in period if it's new. 136 isn't all that hot. Mine has about 6 weeks of use so maybe it's settled in. Not really sure what it was when new.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

It really did burn my hand when I placed it on the surface. No blisters, and I jerked my hand off quickly, but a temperature like this one has would kill a chick in minutes. A medium-rare steak is done at 135-degrees! I'll regulate it or replace it, and keep a close eye on it when I put chicks in the brooder with it.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

@Ridgeback825 I received the new temperature regulator on Sunday, and yesterday I moved all 26 chicks (hatched over the weekend) into the bigger brooder with the heat plate, fingers crossed.

You were right: They LOVE it! I have one end higher than the other, and have found them scattered to both ends but mostly clustered near the center, so I think the height is just right. Yesterday they stayed under the plate or near the perimeter. Today chicks are all over the brooder, very active, eating drinking pooping, chirping happily, and not minding our four cats at all (who are, of course, watching closely and probably salivating LOL).

Anyway, I'm waiting for news back from the distributor about replacement or refund or whatever they're going to do. Meanwhile, this one is behaving nicely with the regulator in place.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Wow, things that make me go hmmm.... I put a meat thermometer under my homemade heating pad hut and when it was *95 all of my chicks were just outside the entrance, would not go in. When I got it down to *85 they were happy. It hasn't just been my opinion that colder is better, it's been my experience with many chicks. But if your chicks are happy, that's the same thing, letting their behavior dictate what's working. It just seems so high! Shutting up now.....

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Wow, things that make me go hmmm.... I put a meat thermometer under my homemade heating pad hut and when it was *95 all of my chicks were just outside the entrance, would not go in. When I got it down to *85 they were happy. It hasn't just been my opinion that colder is better, it's been my experience with many chicks. But if your chicks are happy, that's the same thing, letting their behavior dictate what's working. It just seems so high! Shutting up now.....

Yes!!! That's why I was so very suspicious of even trying it out! I had a homemade heating pad last year with the same experience, but using a small thermometer placed underneath it. They didn't like it. I never tried it at a much lower temp, but always figured there was something wrong with how I was adjusting it. I was shocked to see that the standard surface temperature of a heating plate is 125-deg-F, and chicks seem to love it! It must be the difference between the soft fabric surface of the pad, versus the smooth metal surface of the plate. ??? At any rate, we know the chicks self-regulate by positioning their bodies under or away from the heat source.

I challenge everyone to put your hand flat on the surface of your heating plate and hold it there ----- what do YOU think???

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Yes!!! That's why I was so very suspicious of even trying it out! I had a homemade heating pad last year with the same experience, but using a small thermometer placed underneath it. They didn't like it. I never tried it at a much lower temp, but always figured there was something wrong with how I was adjusting it. I was shocked to see that the standard surface temperature of a heating plate is 125-deg-F, and chicks seem to love it! It must be the difference between the soft fabric surface of the pad, versus the smooth metal surface of the plate. ??? At any rate, we know the chicks self-regulate by positioning their bodies under or away from the heat source.

I challenge everyone to put your hand flat on the surface of your heating plate and hold it there ----- what do YOU think???

Well I really appreciate the info. and now I think I may try a newer model plate I'm just that curious. But uh, I'm not nearly as curious about how the surface feels on my hand, sorry. Hope your hand has fully recovered!

 

[Ridgeback825]

The surface is going to be warmer as its a radiant heater. So the brooder surface will be around 95. I accidentally touched the surface of our ceramic heater and it sizzled my fingertips! That's why we switched. Glad its working out!