Reptile heat mat for brooding?

[mrslb333]

Hiya, I'm having a bit of a panic. I set up all new brooders and heating in my new shed as hubby said I could have my incubators in the house but he'd rather I kept the birds outside, spoil sport

As I say everything is set but I have just realised they are fine for chicks but the Button quail I have hatching as we speak will be able to get out of easily

My options now are quite limited so I'm thinking I have a cage similar to this one

And I have a few different sized reptile heat mats would they work?
What size would I need?
The cage measures 8 Litre - 46 x 30 x 17cm
I have approx 8 due to hatch they are really tiny same sort of size as bumble bees.
Thanks in advance
Lucy x

 

[dianaross77]

Everything I've seen says you have to heat chicks from the top. What if you made something for the heat mat to sit on so it would be above them? A cardboard box with one side cut out, like a cubby, maybe?