Interior brooder layout for almost 2 week old chicks

[Harmoni]

So we have a heat plate. Picture one is with the heat plate on a rack made of hardware cloth. They would occasionally sleep under it at night but were spending a lot of time on top of it.
I decided to try a different design. I have the heat plate under an aluminum tray. Does that seem ok? I was trying to simulate a mother hen but they seemed to want to be on top of "her" rather than under lol.

 

[aart]

They may have been too warm underneath.
It's OK if they are on top of plate.

 

[Harmoni]

They may have been too warm underneath.
It's OK if they are on top of plate.

I didn't have a method for catching poop on top. I have a flour sack towel on top of the warming plate that was wrapped in a pillow case.
Should I change it back?
They were also very close the the top when on top.

 

[aart]

I use cardboard on top.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

Might be time for a bigger brooder.

 

[Harmoni]

I use cardboard on top.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

Might be time for a bigger brooder.

I'm going to lower the hardware cloth so I can fit something on top. The aluminum seems to be super stimulating to them. Not sure they will ever sleep lol.

 

[Harmoni]

Lowered the hardwire cloth stand and put a cut down cardboard box on top.