Outdoor brooder heat source?

[harice4806]

Recently I've converted part of my coop into what I hope to use as a brooder for future chicks. My conconc is the hear source. I'm terrified of using my standard red-bulb heat lamp that I've used in the past. Read of too many coop fires. However I'm concerned the brooder heater I bought won't be warm enough for small chicks. Any experiences or feedback that could help? Pics are of new brooder area and heater I bought.

 

[wamtazlady]

I have the Premier brand of brooder plate. To get warm the chicks go underneath the plate and put their backs against the plate, just like they would their mama. It does a great job. As the chicks grow you will have to raise the plate. I did that about every 3 or 4 days. I would keep one side higher than the other in case chicks had slightly different needs. What is really nice is that the chicks are quiet. I kept checking them as they were so quiet compared to when I used a bulb. The chicks also learn to sleep at night as there is no light to keep them awake. The plates are so much safer and I think better than a heat lamp.

 

[harice4806]

I did plug the unit in when I got home and it felt warm underneath. I'm not sure if I'm expecting more since I'm used to the red-bulb heat. I was able to touch it and it was warm but not hot. Brooder is otherwise ready to go but I put off the purchase of chicks until I had more input on the heater. Coop is fairly draft-free. Just during the day the run door is open. Would this be enough?

 

[KMJonzy]

No advice, just popping in to say I love your brooder setup!

 

[aart]

Haven't heard much about that particular brand of plate....but in general plates work great.
There's a bit of a learning curve, for both chicks and keepers....hopefully you've read up on that.

That plate is rather small, I wouldn't try to put more than maybe 6 chicks under it or they may outgrow it before they are done with needing heat.

Can you easily access every part of that brooder area?

 

[harice4806]

I only plan on about 6 chicks. Just a couple to add a little variety to what I have already. The middle section of the brooder area is a door that's about 3.5 feet wide and 2 feet high. Have to crouch but I have been in it to place fresh bedding and roosts and such.

 

[rosemarythyme]

As long as it's heating up (and not scorching hot) it should be working properly. I would read the instructions to see if there's a temperature range recommended (some heat plates aren't meant for below 40F for example) but otherwise you shouldn't have an issue, the area you sectioned off looks nicely set up.

 

[aart]

The middle section of the brooder area is a door that's about 3.5 feet wide and 2 feet high. Have to crouch but I have been in it to place fresh bedding and roosts and such.

Just put plate, feeder, and waterer where you can reach it....
....and hope you don't have to crawl in all the way to the ends.

 

[henless]

I have a Premier heat plate that I love, but I also use the MHP (Momma Heating Pad). Both work great! Right now I'm using my Premier since my MHP has been taken apart and used to start my seedlings for the garden.

I don't know about your brand of heat plate, but the Premier & the MHP works even when the temps get down into the 30's. I have 12 one & two day old chicks outside now. Our temps are supposed to get down into the upper 30's this weekend/first of the week. I do put up plastic for a wind break, but other than that, my chicks have always done fine.

 

[harice4806]

Ok...now I'm intrigued as to what this "momma heating pad" is. I've never heard of such a thing! Is it something bought or made? In Upstate NY our nights are still in the 20s at times. I just worry