Safest brooder?

[TwoShepherds]

So, my chicks are coming in a couple weeks, very exciting! I was just about to add a heat lamp to my online tractor supply order, but the brooder is going to be in the garage attached to our house, and I'm a little uneasy about the fire risk. Perhaps, with two little kids in the house, I'm just being paranoid, but is there a safer solution than dangling a red hot bulb over pine shavings?--or should I just stop worrying?--what do you all do? Do you just use a regular heat lamp and is it in your house, ever had any problems? Thanks so much!

 

[Cindy in PA]

I always brooded with a heat lamp (26 years) until this year. I purchased a heat plate from Premiere One Supplies & I love it! Less smell, no worry about getting the temp right & my 2 week old chicks are doing great! I always brood in my attached garage & secured the heat lamp with chains etc., but I really like the heat plates. More expensive then heat lamps, but not as worrisome.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I use a Mama Heating Pad! See the article and thread below, I feel it's much safer than a heat lamp. I think it would be a good choice for you. If not a brooder plate like you can order on amazon may be the right thing you are looking for.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/brooding-with-mama-heating-pad.67728/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[Anime2lover]

Used heat lamp three times so far and had no issues. Also found that if its inside, the chicks will be fine with it not being to close to the hay. We keep ours up about two and a half feet for new chicks and havent hax a problem with them being cold if their inside. And our kids dont typically touch it cause they can feel the heat coming off it.

 

[Doublete]

I’ve been using the heat lamp and I work nights.. those nights I literally worry to death my coop (the brooder is out there) will burn down

I just ordered a premier 1 heat plate.. it arrived last night and I can’t wait to put it to use!

 

[TwoShepherds]

I always brooded with a heat lamp (26 years) until this year. I purchased a heat plate from Premiere One Supplies & I love it! Less smell, no worry about getting the temp right & my 2 week old chicks are doing great! I always brood in my attached garage & secured the heat lamp with chains etc., but I really like the heat plates. More expensive then heat lamps, but not as worrisome.

Oh thanks! I'm really interested in these. I wasn't worried until I read reviews for the lamp I had added, and there were two reviews out of 40-some that said they started fires. The Premire website says the small heat plate is effective for up to 20 chicks (I've ordered twelve). Do you think that is accurate? The medium is on back order on the website, but I could see if it is elsewhere.

 

[TwoShepherds]

I’ve been using the heat lamp and I work nights.. those nights I literally worry to death my coop (the brooder is out there) will burn down

I just ordered a premier 1 heat plate.. it arrived last night and I can’t wait to put it to use!

I work nights too, I know the feeling. I think I'm going to order one of these two. I hate to spend more money, I've already spent so much more than I thought I was, but peace of mind is important!

 

[TwoShepherds]

Used heat lamp three times so far and had no issues. Also found that if its inside, the chicks will be fine with it not being to close to the hay. We keep ours up about two and a half feet for new chicks and havent hax a problem with them being cold if their inside. And our kids dont typically touch it cause they can feel the heat coming off it.

I am probably worrying too much. Pretty soon it will probably be hot and humid here, and I'll be worrying more about how to keep them cool!

 

[Anime2lover]

That could be a problem to in the hotter places XD

I am probably worrying too much. Pretty soon it will probably be hot and humid here, and I'll be worrying more about how to keep them cool!

 

[TwoShepherds]

I use a Mama Heating Pad! See the article and thread below, I feel it's much safer than a heat lamp. I think it would be a good choice for you. If not a brooder plate like you can order on amazon may be the right thing you are looking for.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/brooding-with-mama-heating-pad.67728/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

Thanks! That's a great set-up. Chickies look so safe and cozy in there! I bet they feel very secure and safe. I'm going to read over those threads again more carefully later after the kids go to bed tonight.