Thought Ya'll Could Use This Info...

[springvalley123]

I ordered from Cackle recently, chicks are arriving in June. First Cackle order.

Heat lamps are a pain sometimes to get at the right height so, the chicks aren't too hot, I also I don't have any way of raising the heat lamp every couple weeks to wean the chicks off it.

I have mine in the wire crate right now. Later I can put the lamp on top of the wire crate and use a wire to attach it just in case. I have hooks for hanging house plants if I need to raise the heat lamp even more. I also got different wattages of heat bulbs.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I have mine in the wire crate right now. Later I can put the lamp on top of the wire crate and use a wire to attach it just in case. I have hooks for hanging house plants if I need to raise the heat lamp even more. I also got different wattages of heat bulbs.

Our basement isn't set up right, so I gotta do something abit differently.

 

[springvalley123]

Me Too, Those Heat Plates Are Great For Two To Three Week & Older Chicks , But NOT For Babies. Especially When They Have Been Shipped. I Remember The Whole Situation With Tractor Supply Brooders , All Of Those Chicks Were TOO Cold & Died. I Just Hope It Helps The New People With Shipped Chicks. It Could Save Alot Of Heartache...

Exactly! that could be why they did the video. I'm very glad this was posted! The cold transit, plus failure to warm the babies enough, is undoubtably what sets them up for pasty butt. I remember last year, lots of heartache from people who bought chicks who had been cold in the stacking TSC brooders, then got home and developed pasty butt and didn't recover.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I have mine set at an angle that they can move away if they get too hot and just leave it that way until they move to either outside or under a plate.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I have mine set at an angle that they can move away if they get too hot and just leave it that way until they move to either outside or under a plate.

Same here.

 

[AGeese]

I use three types of heat which I run/alternate as needed. A 150w red lamp, 150w heat emitter (now), and brooder plate.

 

[raingarden]

I use three types of heat which I run/alternate as needed. A 150w red lamp, 150w heat emitter (now), and brooder plate.

What kind of heat emitter?

I think that managing the chicks under a light is easier then managing them under a heat plate. With the heat plate the chicks have to be rousted from their sleep, or whatever they are doing, to check on them. With a lamp you can peek in on them without disturbing. Is is informative to be able to watch chciks when they have not been alerted to your presence. You can pick up on signs of trouble that may be missed otherwise.

I'm still grappling with the importance of a normal light cycle too. I don't want them to grow up neurotic or something. But, maybe continuous light lets them eat and drink in the middle of the night and makes them stronger. Don't know. I have noticed that they all go to sleep at dusk even when the light is on.

I'm thinking about using a large glass aquarium as a brooder instead of solid plastic containers. That way I can look under the heat plate. A wire cage would allow observation under the heat plate too, but wire is drafty and the temperature will not be as stable. My brooders are outside.

 

[TwoShepherds]

I only use heat plates, and have not had any problems with my mail order chicks. I've ordered a batch every spring for 3 years. I only order in the warm months, and I use the closest hatchery, which may help to limit transit time. I haven't lost a chick yet.

I refuse to use heat lamps. I just read in my local news that there have been at least 3 barn fires in the neighboring county this winter--all started by heat lamps. I brood chicks in the garage attached to my house... a heat lamp would make me far too nervous. The risk may be small, but for me it's not worth it. If I had a detached garage or a barn maybe...but for now heat lamps are a big NOPE for me.

 

[3KillerBs]

I ordered from Cackle recently, chicks are arriving in June. First Cackle order.

Heat lamps are a pain sometimes to get at the right height so, the chicks aren't too hot, I also I don't have any way of raising the heat lamp every couple weeks to wean the chicks off it.

I hang my lamp from a chain and use a carabiner to move it up and down.

 

[Carters Chick House]

Thanks. I understand the feeling.

What breeds are you getting?

I'm getting 5 Red JungleFowl, 3 Saipan JungleFowl, & 5 Brassy Back OEGBs.

6 Brahma,3 Orpington and 3 Cochin. Very excited but a bit nervous too.