The Old Folks Home

[Beer can]

I use two big cardboard boxes attached together with a pass through cut on the bottom. Brooder light on one side, food and water on the other.
I've never had chicks as lively as the SandHill ones, except for the four that died of course. They run back and forth like roadrunners, flapping their little wings. And when they sleep they just sprawl out wherever they happen to stop, quite comical, and a little annoying, very loud. I'm about ready to shut their light of at night, sound like a bunch of giant rats, but it's cold in our house at night so I don't dare yet.

 

[bamadude]

Bc: you need a premier 1 heating plate bro. It pays for itself in power usage. I got the 20 chick model for $48. It will keep at least 37 chicks alive. They are living proof

 

[Beer can]

@bamadude Probably be a good investment in the long run, those red heat bulbs are not cheap and they don't last forever. Scare the crap out of me too. Get home late at night and the house windows are glowing red like the house is on fire. Stops my heart for a second everytime I see it...

 

[perchie.girl]

@bamadude Probably be a good investment in the long run, those red heat bulbs are not cheap and they don't last forever. Scare the crap out of me too. Get home late at night and the house windows are glowing red like the house is on fire. Stops my heart for a second everytime I see it...

I been on a thread about using a heating pad as a brooder.....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update

and I am going to do this instead of the light..... IF i wind up with the need to brood some chicks or Keets.

You only need a heating pad that has the automatic off that has a switch to turn it off.... so it wont shut down after x amount of time.

deb

 

[ronott1]

I been on a thread about using a heating pad as a brooder.....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update

and I am going to do this instead of the light..... IF i wind up with the need to brood some chicks or Keets.

You only need a heating pad that has the automatic off that has a switch to turn it off.... so it wont shut down after x amount of time.

deb

Why Deb? Heating pads would not be ideal. They can short out, are not water proof and I suspect not chicken proof.

Use the premier plate--it is well made, energy efficient and designed for brooding chicks.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Poor ChickenCanoe is going to need a canoe to get out of dodge if it keeps raining.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Why? ..... just read the thread....

deb

 

[ronott1]

Why? ..... just read the thread....

deb

Ok, I read the first post and it is what I thought it was.

I am not impressed, Sorry.

 

[casportpony]

Ok, I read the first post and it is what I thought it was.

I am not impressed, Sorry.

Hot plates are the way to go for me.

-Kathy

 

[ronott1]

As an explanation, you can get a premier plate that broods 20 to 30ish chicks. It is not that much more expensive than setting up a heating pad and does the same things, mimics a broody and etc.