Question about Premier Heat Plate Size

[christwodog]

I am planning to get a Premier Heat Plate for my March shipment of 15 chicks. I don't know if the medium (16x16) is large enough to accommodate them as they grow. But the large will take up a lot of space in the brooder. I keep my chicks indoors until about 3 1/2 weeks of age, then they go outside. Does anyone have any input as to the correct size for this amount of chicks? I am looking forward to not ever using a heat lamp again, really hated that thing.

 

[Kelllynnl]

I don’t have input regarding the size however I purchased one from premier last spring and was very impressed with it. Just a word of warning tho- find something to cover the top because the babies will poop all over it and it’s textured and a pain to scrub out

 

[imnukensc]

The medium will be plenty large enough for 15 chicks. I have the extra small and it would've fit 8 chicks quite easily. Instead of buying the cover for it to keep the chicks from getting up on it, I just used some Press N Seal on it and replaced it when it got dirty. You'll really like the heating plate.

 

[christwodog]

I don’t have input regarding the size however I purchased one from premier last spring and was very impressed with it. Just a word of warning tho- find something to cover the top because the babies will poop all over it and it’s textured and a pain to scrub out

Yes, I was planning on either getting the cover for it, or at least something else to cover the top. I didn't know the top was textured, so definitely will do some sort of cover! Thanks!

 

[christwodog]

The medium will be plenty large enough for 15 chicks. I have the extra small and it would've fit 8 chicks quite easily. Instead of buying the cover for it to keep the chicks from getting up on it, I just used some Press N Seal on it and replaced it when it got dirty. You'll really like the heating plate.

They don't pick at the edges of the Press'n'Seal? Seems like they find the strangest things to focus their attention on.

 

[imnukensc]

Mine didn't bother the Press N Seal at all.

 

[christwodog]

Mine didn't bother the Press N Seal at all.

Ok, thanks!

 

[lazy gardener]

Before you spend the money on a heat plate, check out the MHP method. @Blooie is the queen of MHP, and you will find a useful thread and article attached to her signature.

Space recommendation in the brooder is 2 s.f. per chick by the time they are 2 - 3 weeks old.

 

[christwodog]

Before you spend the money on a heat plate, check out the MHP method. @Blooie is the queen of MHP, and you will find a useful thread and article attached to her signature.

Space recommendation in the brooder is 2 s.f. per chick by the time they are 2 - 3 weeks old.

Thanks, I will read about that. It would be nice not to spend $70-80 on a plate!

 

[lazy gardener]

IMO, for the little bit of work involved in making the wire frame (simply cut and bend a piece of fencing) you end up with a much more useful product. And the MHP will provide appropriate heat in freezing conditions, something that I don't believe the heat plates can boast of.