Sometimes it just comes down to money. The lamp is way less than the plate, plain and simple. I always keep my brooder covered, I make sure I get explosion proof bulbs (I had one non explosion proof bulb explode!) and I don't assume the clamp the lamp comes with is reliable - I back up that clamp. Actually I completely stopped using the clamp altogether.
You are supposed to drop the temps 5 degrees each week - for me that meant raising the lamp each week or changing to a bigger brooder (I did both, they grew so much aster than I realized and needed more room!). At the end I also changed to a regular red bulb, the kind that is the shape of the heatlamp bulbs. It was less watts and helped the gradual reduction of heat. Last year I had my chicks outside full time between 6 & 7 weeks but I did not get them til the end of April! I am getting some in a week and a half or so and I have a feeling they will be inside a little longer than that 6 weeks. I will probably have them inside without the light for a couple weeks. Last year we also had regular field trips outside b/c it was warm enough. That may not happen either. Sigh. I wish spring would really get here!
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