Safer alternative for heating brooder

[CKfarm22]

I want to start the chicks in the coop from the first day i get them, but i don’t want to use a heating lamp because of the fire hazards. What would be a safer alternative for a heating element?

 

[fin-dachickmasta]

You can get these almost anywhere...https://www.chewy.com/my-favorite-chicken-chick-brooder/dp/299200?utm_id=401602555&msclkid=313bcd374930169096edaf2deac559ff&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_NC_Farm_S_Chicken%20%26%20Farm_Habitat%20%26%20Accessories&utm_term=4584963495199739&utm_content=Habitat%20Consumables-Bird%20Nesting

 

[aart]

I want to start the chicks in the coop from the first day i get them, but i don’t want to use a heating lamp because of the fire hazards. What would be a safer alternative for a heating element?

Lots of different plates out there, like the ones linked in above post.
Beware that the population recs on them are as inaccurate as prefab coops.

I went DIY, 12x24 held 16 chicks until old enough not to need heat outdoors.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

 

[SueT]

An inexpensive alternative is a ceramic heat emitter bulb. It puts out heat but not light and screws into your clamp light fixture. It should be under $10. I found that for my broods of 4-8 chicks, a 75 watt sufficed.

 

[esme13]

I used the chicken brooder hot plate. I purchased mine off of Amazon and was so happy with it. Best investment

 

[CKfarm22]

An inexpensive alternative is a ceramic heat emitter bulb. It puts out heat but not light and screws into your clamp light fixture. It should be under $10. I found that for my broods of 4-8 chicks, a 75 watt sufficed.
View attachment 3006529View attachment 3006532

Can i use the metal thing that comes with other heating lamps with this bulb?

 

[aart]

An inexpensive alternative is a ceramic heat emitter bulb. It puts out heat but not light and screws into your clamp light fixture. It should be under $10. I found that for my broods of 4-8 chicks, a 75 watt sufficed.
View attachment 3006529View attachment 3006532

I tried one of these but found it's 'circle of heat' was very hot in the middle but faded quickly towards the circumference.

 

[SueT]

I tried one of these but found it's 'circle of heat' was very hot in the middle but faded quickly towards the circumference.

Yes, it only warms a small area, as would a hen. They are totally in ambient temps when not under it, as they are when mama hen raises them.
When observing my hens raising their chicks in the spring, I see that they spend a lot of time not under mama, even outdoors in temps in the 40’s.
I am guessing this is actually beneficial for them, and some claim that it encourages faster feather growth.

 

[SueT]

Can i use the metal thing that comes with other heating lamps with this bulb?

Yes, that’s what I use.

 

[aart]

Yes, it only warms a small area, as would a hen. They are totally in ambient temps when not under it, as they are when mama hen raises them.
When observing my hens raising their chicks in the spring, I see that they spend a lot of time not under mama, even outdoors in temps in the 40’s.
I am guessing this is actually beneficial for them, and some claim that it encourages faster feather growth.

Got it.
Did not work well with 12+ chicks in the brooder.