Metal Stock Tank Heating Issue

[wrathsfarm]

Ok. I was given mine. It only stands vertically and or mounted on a wall vertically. I wasn't going to look a gift horse and all that.

Definitely get that, free is always in my price range. Is there no way you could hang it from the 4 corners? Or lay it face down on blocks (4x4s)?

 

[TimmG]

Definitely get that, free is always in my price range. Is there no way you could hang it from the 4 corners? Or lay it face down on blocks (4x4s)?

I could probably do the block thing. I have to make lids tomorrow. I have some left over white wall paneling. I can put that on the non heated side to help trap some more heat and then test temps again. I will try to give an update again tomorrow. If this doesn't work I will have to figure something out. I know I don't need at at 95° forever, but I need it above 80° for a month. After that my issue will be lowering the heat. I'll just remove one of the lamps to achieve that.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I could probably do the block thing. I have to make lids tomorrow. I have some left over white wall paneling. I can put that on the non heated side to help trap some more heat and then test temps again. I will try to give an update again tomorrow. If this doesn't work I will have to figure something out. I know I don't need at at 95° forever, but I need it above 80° for a month. After that my issue will be lowering the heat. I'll just remove one of the lamps to achieve that.

Just an add on, if you do the blocks try to rig them up so there's no way the plate can shift off and trap chicks underneath. I'd hate to offer an idea and then hurt your Little's.

How many are you getting?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I know I don't need at at 95° forever, but I need it above 80° for a month. After that my issue will be lowering the heat. I'll just remove one of the lamps to achieve that.

No. What you need is one spot warm enough on your coldest days and spots cool enough on your warmest days. There is no reason that the heat has to drop. The chicks can handle cooler temperatures as they feather out but that does not mean they cannot continue to handle warmer temperatures.

Think about a broody hen raising chicks in the real world during summer. The days do not have to get cooler as the chicks get older. If you want to lower the heat you can but don't feel that you have to. Keep it as simple as you can.

I haven't temped it, but I'd guess the non heated side is about 60°. With the temps outside the tank being around 30°.

Excellent, that is cool enough. Sometimes I have frost on one wall of my brooder in winter but I also have an area that is toasty warm. As long as they have a warm spot to go to they will be fine. How cool does that get when your temperatures go up? I've had outside temperatures go from below freezing to the mid 70's Fahrenheit in a day. That's why I say they need a cool enough spot.

 

[TimmG]

Just an add on, if you do the blocks try to rig them up so there's no way the plate can shift off and trap chicks underneath. I'd hate to offer an idea and then hurt your Little's.

How many are you getting?

I want a flock of 20-25 so I plan on getting 30. I took your idea of angling the heat plate. With the lids I just built the tank with two lamps fluctuates between 90°-100° directly under the lamps. The one with the heat plate and lamp for some reason is still sitting at 72°. Even with the thermometer directly under the lamp and right next to the heat plate.

 

[TimmG]

No. What you need is one spot warm enough on your coldest days and spots cool enough on your warmest days. There is no reason that the heat has to drop. The chicks can handle cooler temperatures as they feather out but that does not mean they cannot continue to handle warmer temperatures.

Think about a broody hen raising chicks in the real world during summer. The days do not have to get cooler as the chicks get older. If you want to lower the heat you can but don't feel that you have to. Keep it as simple as you can.


Excellent, that is cool enough. Sometimes I have frost on one wall of my brooder in winter but I also have an area that is toasty warm. As long as they have a warm spot to go to they will be fine. How cool does that get when your temperatures go up? I've had outside temperatures go from below freezing to the mid 70's Fahrenheit in a day. That's why I say they need a cool enough spot.

Thanks for the info. I just built lids and a makeshift frame for the heat plate at the suggestion of another member here. The tank with 2 lamps temps between 90°-100° directly below the lamps. And the other tanks is temping at 72° but the heat plate puts out a good amount of heat and along with the lamp it should be fine. My local tractor supply chick day is suppose to be on the 17th. So the brooders are officially ready.

 

[TimmG]

Just an add on, if you do the blocks try to rig them up so there's no way the plate can shift off and trap chicks underneath. I'd hate to offer an idea and then hurt your Little's.

How many are you getting?

An update. I moved the thermometers to the opposite end of the tanks where there is no heat source. The outside temp is 50° today. The 2 bulb tank reads 84°. And the single bulb tank reads 64° so the lids I made are working great.

 

[wrathsfarm]

An update. I moved the thermometers to the opposite end of the tanks where there is no heat source. The outside temp is 50° today. The 2 bulb tank reads 84°. And the single bulb tank reads 64° so the lids I made are working great.

Just a suggestion here... Or thought if you will. The brooder plate is only recommended for 10 chicks max. Any more than that and I would worry about over crowding under it... leading to crushed chicks.
Your 2 bulb tank spreading more heat out in a bigger area with no plate might be your better option to hold more chicks in to avoid the over crowding possibility.
You could start out 15 in each tank but keep that in mind when overseeing for crowding issues.

 

[TimmG]

Just a suggestion here... Or thought if you will. The brooder plate is only recommended for 10 chicks max. Any more than that and I would worry about over crowding under it... leading to crushed chicks.
Your 2 bulb tank spreading more heat out in a bigger area with no plate might be your better option to hold more chicks in to avoid the over crowding possibility.
You could start out 15 in each tank but keep that in mind when overseeing for crowding issues.

So start out with 15 in each tank, and if issues arise move a hand full over to the double bulbed tank? Just wanted to confirm what you were saying.

 

[wrathsfarm]

So start out with 15 in each tank, and if issues arise move a hand full over to the double bulbed tank? Just wanted to confirm what you were saying.

Yes, you may not have any issues at all with overcrowding under the plate especially for the size as day olds. But as they grow and still try crowding under there that may be a concern.

Random story...
I had a brooder room built in my pole barn for last winters 7 chicks. It was good size.. 7' x 5' walk in and connected to my Marans coop for integration.
As they grew and got off heat they still wanted to cuddle pile but in 1 specific corner of the room. And everyone wanted that corner spot. It got so chaotic I ended up framing and sheeting that corner to make it a 45 degree to stop them from crushing each other.

Just when you think you've got it all figured out, chickens throw a monkey wrench in your plan.