There have been several discussions during the past couple weeks in multiple threads in multiple sub forums about using a people heating pad to simulate the Brinsea or Premier brooder heater. I was able to fashion this one and thought I'd put it in it's own thread for ease of updating this particular design idea.
I really like the idea of the heater plates because of the 'natural' day/night cycles and the lower power cost. I've read folks saying that the chicks are quieter under a plate than a light and so far, I couldn't agree more. It's a great concept but I can absolutely not justify the expense of the Brinsea or even the Premier when I probably will never hatch chicks again.....the 2 hatches I've done have been with a borrowed incubator. Plus I am a designer by nature and trade, working in the pharmaceutical equipment design field for 20 years. I love to solve problems by building 'stuff'.
Now this device has only been in use for a mere 36 hours, but I think it's going to work out fine. I will continue to update this thread to report any pros and cons or changes needed. The only con I've found so far is you don't get to see them sprawled out or tip over asleep like you do under a light...cause like most babies, they're cutest when they're sleeping. They all come out to eat, drink and run around, then dash back underneath to warm up and/or sleep.
Heating pad is 12" x 15" and draws 40 watts, metal baker cooling rack is 10" x 14" and attached to wood with small U-tacks, the approx. 2" x 2" scrap wood are off cuts from some rafter extensions I made - the curve in the off cuts part just accommodated the slant from front to back, the adjustable furniture feet were perfect for....um, adjusting the height. I had all this stuff on hand so it didn't cost me a dime and only took about 30 minutes to put together. I do have the back lower than the front so they can find the best fit for themselves, which they do. There's a towel on top because the surface of the heating pad is about 110 degrees and makes them squeak rather loudly when they're little feet ran over it and will be easily swapped out and washed as needed.
I'll just let the pictures explain the rest.
I really like the idea of the heater plates because of the 'natural' day/night cycles and the lower power cost. I've read folks saying that the chicks are quieter under a plate than a light and so far, I couldn't agree more. It's a great concept but I can absolutely not justify the expense of the Brinsea or even the Premier when I probably will never hatch chicks again.....the 2 hatches I've done have been with a borrowed incubator. Plus I am a designer by nature and trade, working in the pharmaceutical equipment design field for 20 years. I love to solve problems by building 'stuff'.
Now this device has only been in use for a mere 36 hours, but I think it's going to work out fine. I will continue to update this thread to report any pros and cons or changes needed. The only con I've found so far is you don't get to see them sprawled out or tip over asleep like you do under a light...cause like most babies, they're cutest when they're sleeping. They all come out to eat, drink and run around, then dash back underneath to warm up and/or sleep.
Heating pad is 12" x 15" and draws 40 watts, metal baker cooling rack is 10" x 14" and attached to wood with small U-tacks, the approx. 2" x 2" scrap wood are off cuts from some rafter extensions I made - the curve in the off cuts part just accommodated the slant from front to back, the adjustable furniture feet were perfect for....um, adjusting the height. I had all this stuff on hand so it didn't cost me a dime and only took about 30 minutes to put together. I do have the back lower than the front so they can find the best fit for themselves, which they do. There's a towel on top because the surface of the heating pad is about 110 degrees and makes them squeak rather loudly when they're little feet ran over it and will be easily swapped out and washed as needed.
I'll just let the pictures explain the rest.
