How to transition chicks from heat lamp to brooder plate?

[MilaSC]

Hi, I'm a new member with new chicks. They're light brahmas, which I chose because they came highly recommended by a friend and we mostly want chickens for friendly backyard animals (and eggs will be nice, of course).

They're 1.5 weeks old, we're assembling the coop and I though I thought I did my research it turns out I still have tons of questions!

First one is this:

I started the chicks with a heat lamp, but want to transition to a brooder plate. I have one and I put it in the brooder but they wouldn't go near it. Advice on introducing it to them? It's about 88 degrees in the direct spotlight of the heat lamp and about 72 inside the house (which is where we have them right now).

Thanks,
Mila

 

[janiedoe]

Hi, I'm a new member with new chicks. They're light brahmas, which I chose because they came highly recommended by a friend and we mostly want chickens for friendly backyard animals (and eggs will be nice, of course).

They're 1.5 weeks old, we're assembling the coop and I though I thought I did my research it turns out I still have tons of questions!

First one is this:

I started the chicks with a heat lamp, but want to transition to a brooder plate. I have one and I put it in the brooder but they wouldn't go near it. Advice on introducing it to them? It's about 88 degrees in the direct spotlight of the heat lamp and about 72 inside the house (which is where we have them right now).

Thanks,
Mila

Welcome!
They may be a little frightened of something new, or it may just be that they don't need it. Chicks don't seem to need nearly as much heat as people think they do. I see mama hens out playing in the rain with their chicks and packing around when it's cool. The chicks only sit under mom when they get cold.
If you are worried about them being too cold. Put a few chicks under there and block their exit for a few minutes. Once they figure out it's warm, they will use it as needed. The others will follow.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Hi, I'm a new member with new chicks. They're light brahmas, which I chose because they came highly recommended by a friend and we mostly want chickens for friendly backyard animals (and eggs will be nice, of course).

They're 1.5 weeks old, we're assembling the coop and I though I thought I did my research it turns out I still have tons of questions!

First one is this:

I started the chicks with a heat lamp, but want to transition to a brooder plate. I have one and I put it in the brooder but they wouldn't go near it. Advice on introducing it to them? It's about 88 degrees in the direct spotlight of the heat lamp and about 72 inside the house (which is where we have them right now).

Thanks,
Mila

Turn the lamp off and when they start peeping because they're cold, guide them to the plate without picking them up and putting them under it. Guide them over then nudge them under. It might help to put a towel over it to help trap heat. I always kept the front higher than the back so they could choose how close they wanted to be to the heat.

 

[Grammy60]

Hello and welcome to BYC So happy you have joined us.

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. Great suggestions already given. Chickens hate change, and it will take time for them to adjust.

 

[swampfox440]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Dr Evy]

Welcome to BYC. We’re so glad you joined!

 

[Isadora]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska!

 

[AGeese]

Welcome, mine are suspicious of new setups or anything that isn't a toy or food. You might move the lamp nearer to the brooder so they will be drawn to it.