I have both a
Brinsea 20 and the large Premiere1 heat plate. Can't complain about either. I have successfully raised both chicks and poults with them.
Premiere1 large heat plate review:
Sturdy construction. I wouldn't want to drop it from any great height, but that shouldn't be an issue anyway. It doesn't have the plastic top, and I've seen it completely covered in 2 week old chicks with no issues. Since the top gets slightly warm, they like to sit and bask up there. I've had no issues with any shoddy construction at all.
Heating: the actual bottom plate gets quite warm. But I can leave my hand touching it without having to pull it away. My chicks push right up against it, and seem to have no issues. I've had no issues with any burns, etc. The chicks don't get any other source of heat, and have shown no signs of distress. They run in and out from under the plate all day, and you can see day by day that they need less and less heat each day.
Adjustability: Very easy to adjust height, and you can make one side higher than the other. Since I have multiple breeds of chicks brooding at once, after a week or so I start to get size differences. I make the front a bit higher than the back, and each chick finds what works for it as far as warmth goes.
Overall: This was just what I was looking for, and at a price point much better than the competition. I own a small
Brinsea, and also have zero issues with it. To me, price is the only difference at this point. I much prefer this method over heat lamps. Both chicks and poults seem to have fewer health and adjustment issues. I attribute this to them having a normal day/night cycle just like if they were with a broody hen.
I'm also starting a new experiment with my heat plate. I'd like to be able to get chicks out of my basement much sooner than in the past. So I have built an outdoor hoop coop that is half covered with a tarp and half with clear plastic. I have put in a deep layer of pine shavings and basically buried the heat plate in the shavings with the front dug down so the chicks can descend and get under the plate. I covered the top of the plate in shavings to help insulate also. (I'll take some pics tonight and post them)
I've had the plate set out for about 24 hours now to make sure it is completely up to temp. When I reached my hand down there this morning it was about 28F out, and much warmer under the plate.
Tonight I plan to take about 15 3 week old chicks out and put them in the coop. They are what I would call 'partially feathered' Wings are pretty filled in, most have tails now, some body feathering, but none have feathers on their head and neck. The heat plate will be the only heat source. They have been under a plate inside, so will be accustomed to using one. Low tonight is expected to be near 32F.
If this is successful, the plan will be to brood in the basement under a plate for 2-3 weeks then out to this coop for another 2-3 weeks. Then to another unheated coop to get to 10 weeks before introducing to the laying flock or being sent to the bachelor pens.
