Sleeping/Hanging out on TOP of brooder plate?

[CoastChick]

I have 2 chicks (in a plastic brooder bin) with an induction plate for warmth. They seem to prefer the topside to sleeping under the plate? Is this behavior indicative that they are too warm? Or preference? I honestly can’t tell. They will both go under the plate from time to time, but definitely spend more time topside. They are 3 weeks old and I’ve raised the plate 3 times so far (one extra increment of raising because I noticed they seemed to prefer the top of the plate to the bottom, thought maybe too warm?)
Thoughts, advice?

 

[nuthatched]

They could be too warm if they are inside and the Temps are nice. It's also a natural instinct to roost higher.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That's likely where they are most comfortable.
Chicks with a Mama Hen don't spend all their time under her, they are busy roaming about eating/drinking. They use Mama for a quick warm up, then off they go again. Sometimes my chicks sit on top of Mama too.

Looks like you may need to start thinking about giving them more space as well.

 

[Ais]

My chicks liked to spend time on top of the plate too. I think it is roosting behavior kicking in.

 

[CoastChick]

They could be too warm if they are inside and the Temps are nice. It's also a natural instinct to roost higher.

Inside house, so temps usually around 65-70°f. Cosy!

 

[CoastChick]

Looks like you may need to start thinking about giving them more space as well.

Yep! We have been doing little “adventure field trips” to their run outside when weather permits. (Shaded 65-70) so about same as temps inside.
Both of my big girls are very much of the mindset they should be out of the brooder, roaming with the dog. They do a lot of time outside their brooder and sitting on the kiddos laps etc. Wish to be very free Chickies.
I think a kennel type / large dog crate structure might be next?? I have two 3 week olds in the brooder and three, 1 week olds in the brooder next-door. I’d like to get them all 5 together if I can get them all to be nice to one another.

 

[Huntmaster]

Yep! We have been doing little “adventure field trips” to their run outside when weather permits. (Shaded 65-70) so about same as temps inside.
Both of my big girls are very much of the mindset they should be out of the brooder, roaming with the dog. They do a lot of time outside their brooder and sitting on the kiddos laps etc. Wish to be very free Chickies.
I think a kennel type / large dog crate structure might be next?? I have two 3 week olds in the brooder and three, 1 week olds in the brooder next-door. I’d like to get them all 5 together if I can get them all to be nice to one another.

Are they going to have coop and run to themselves? Or do you have other older chickens in there.

 

[CoastChick]

Are they going to have coop and run to themselves? Or do you have other older chickens in there.

Just the 5 of them. No other chickens here.
It’s a very small coop. Rated for 5.

 

[Huntmaster]

Just the 5 of them. No other chickens here.
It’s a very small coop. Rated for 5.

Can you get power to coop for brooder plate?

 

[Huntmaster]

If so, I would finish brooding them in coop with pop door closed enclosing them in coop. Then letting them out in run on nice days for a few weeks. This would let them get used to coop plus acclimate to weather and have more space. That way you can get them used to going in and out of coop using ramp.