Proper temp under heat plate for newly hatched bantams

[kaybiegirl]

I’m hatching my first eggs. 10 hatched and in incubator still. 2 eggs to go.
my brooder is set up and the temp under the Producers Pride heat plate is around 102-104. I put it on the lowest setting bc they are bantams.

Is that too hot? The bottom of the brooder plate is pretty hot to the touch, but maybe that is normal. Thank you

 

[aart]

How are you measuring the heat?
Plates should be measured on the surface of the plate using infrared temp gauge,
not on the brooder floor like with heat lamps.
Plate surfaces are usually 100-120°F

 

[kaybiegirl]

Measuring with this thermometer laid under the heat plate

 

[kaybiegirl]

How are you measuring the heat?
Plates should be measured on the surface of the plate using infrared temp gauge,
not on the brooder floor like with heat lamps.
Plate surfaces are usually 100-120°F

Thank you for your help on both my posts! The little one I was worried about has hatched already

 

[aart]

Measuring with this thermometer laid under the heat plate

If that was measuring 102-104F on the floor under heater, it's way too hot.
How far off floor is plate?

 

[kaybiegirl]

About 2.5” on the lowest setting

 

[aart]

Can you 'turn down' heater?
If not, raise it up higher.

 

[kaybiegirl]

Can you 'turn down' heater?
If not, raise it up higher.

I’ll raise it bc it only has two settings, which are “brooder” and “heater.” Heater being intended to hang or install sideways in a coop for older chickens in cold weather.

 

[kaybiegirl]

I’ll raise it bc it only has two settings, which are “brooder” and “heater.” Heater being intended to hang or install sideways in a coop for older chickens in cold weather.

What temp is good for under the plate?

 

[aart]

I’ll raise it bc it only has two settings, which are “brooder” and “heater.”

Did you try both to see what the difference is?

What temp is good for under the plate?

It's hard to say because plates are supposed to warm the chicks by them touching it,
but some plates are too hot.
Have you ever had chicks before?
If your plate is too hot, might go back to a lamp,
Here's some tips about that:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-chick-heat-blurb.75619/.