Looking to Raise Chickens the Right Way

[DebbieDonut]

Brooder plates, lights, a vacuum cleaner for annual or semi-annual cleaning, power tools...

See! That's why I joined this site. I'm still researching Brooder plates? What are they and how old does a chick need those?

 

[DebbieDonut]

Where about are you located?

I'm in Columbia, SC, near USC. I guess that's why the chicken laws are so favorable towards owning chickens.

 

[DebbieDonut]

Wait until you get the coop built before buying chicks!!
Also check with your doc about exposure to chickens.

Here's lots of advice:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/whats-your-first-piece-of-advice-for-newbies.1330795/

Yep. Only planning right now. I'm good to go health wise for chickens. I've given up too much of my life to give up on my dream of chickens now. Thank you for the link!

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! You are getting a lot of good advice here. The thing is, when you start out with chickens, you don't even know all the questions to ask, but folks here know that are offer lots of great info. I would also suggest you go to some of the forums and read posts there, such as brooding and raising baby chicks, for starters.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery and complete remission!

 

[aart]

I'm in Columbia, SC,

Oh, and.....Welcome to BYC! @DebbieDonut
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[DobieLover]

See! That's why I joined this site. I'm still researching Brooder plates? What are they and how old does a chick need those?

I have a towel over this brooder plate. It is a safer heat source for brooding chicks rather than using a heat lamp. It mimics the way a chick would warm up under a broody hen. You would use it right from the start.

This is the alternative but you don't have one of these! Note the number of feet on this hen.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC.

Here are some links to useful resources:

• List of guides on how to use the site - “How to...” guides
• Great go-to resource - Learning Centre
• Good starting point for browsing the site - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• Excellent sources of local information - U.S. States

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[ValerieJ]

View attachment 1902334

I have a towel over this brooder plate. It is a safer heat source for brooding chicks rather than using a heat lamp. It mimics the way a chick would warm up under a broody hen. You would use it right from the start.

This is the alternative but you don't have one of these! Note the number of feet on this hen.
View attachment 1902337

I sent my brooder plate back. It was too hot. Looked like I was torturing the chick. I had it high at one end and low at the other. The chick would get close to it and after about 20 seconds it would jump and peeped like it just got burned and crouch down for a minute and then repeat. It couldn't sleep under there. I had tested it with my hand and thought it was way too hot, but tried it anyway to see if the chicks down insulated it from the burning metal.

I'm not saying don't try a brooder plate, but test it out first and watch how the chicks respond to it when you set it up. Other people have had great success with it. I went back to a heat lamp for now, and when the chicks are a few weeks old I will switch to the Sweeter Heater, which uses infrared heat. The one I bought is too big for my brooder, so I can't get it close enough to the chicks right now. I'll use it when I can move them to the larger brooder.

 

[aart]

I sent my brooder plate back. It was too hot. Looked like I was torturing the chick. I had it high at one end and low at the other. The chick would get close to it and after about 20 seconds it would jump and peeped like it just got burned and crouch down for a minute and then repeat. It couldn't sleep under there. I had tested it with my hand and thought it was way too hot, but tried it anyway to see if the chicks down insulated it from the burning metal.

What kind was it?
Most have the ability to control the temp(might be an 'add on'),
or you can use a dimmer extension cord.

 

[ValerieJ]

What kind was it?
Most have the ability to control the temp(might be an 'add on'),
or you can use a dimmer extension cord.

Premier Chick Brooder Heating Plate - 10" x 10"
Sold by: TOP Manufacturing

This is the one I bought. Why didn't I think of using a dimmer switch???