Rurumo
Songster
- Feb 7, 2023
- 162
- 480
- 156
The heating plates are quite safe, I have zero worries using them. My Brinsea plate only uses 12 watts of power. Your chicks will still need a supplemental heat source regardless of when you brood them-think of what your nighttime temps are. A hen provides them with a constant 105 degrees they have 24/7 access to, the plate just replicates that. They will need the plate to regulate their body temperature at night, and possibly also during the day depending on your temps. They also need to be able to escape the heat to cool down, which is why the plates work so well.I'm going to be brooding 5-10 chicks & this will be my first broody batch in a couple of years. The plan is to brood them indoors but my home is only 61 degrees this time of year. I'm scared to death of the potential for fires & worry every time I have to leave for work so a heat lamp terrifies me. Which has the least potential for tragedy....the heating plate or the heating pad over a sturdy metal frame?
Would I be better to get chicks shipped in July when the coop temps should be plenty hot enough to not need an external heat source? We start getting frosts as soon as early October. Will the chicks be able to withstand those temps at just 3-4 months old?