Time to wean off heating plate?

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ninafe

Songster
Mar 30, 2022
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Houston, TX
Hi guys- I’ve got four 2.5 week old baby chicks. We live in Houston where it’s over 80 degrees outside already. The chicks are inside where it is 76F at all times and when the sun hits their brooder it can get around 80. The past two days I noticed that the chicks no longer go under the heating plate, even after I raised the height of the plate. Instead they all cuddle on TOP of the plate at night and sometimes during the day. I take it as a sign that they no longer need that much heat? Should I remove the heating plate soon?
 
ninafe said:
Hi guys- I’ve got four 2.5 week old baby chicks. We live in Houston where it’s over 80 degrees outside already. The chicks are inside where it is 76F at all times and when the sun hits their brooder it can get around 80. The past two days I noticed that the chicks no longer go under the heating plate, even after I raised the height of the plate. Instead they all cuddle on TOP of the plate at night and sometimes during the day. I take it as a sign that they no longer need that much heat? Should I remove the heating plate soon?
Click to expand...
I would remove it.
Is the coop ready?
 
I don't see the harm in keeping it on longer.
I've got 29 ~5 week olds but it's cold here "feels like 30F right now". It's interesting seeing the difference when you have almost 30 vs the like 3 I had years back. Last week I had them in a 300 gallon livestock water tank with 3 options for heat. 7 of them are about a week older and 8 of them were slower to feather and two of those are a bit runted but catching up better than I thought they would. Point is by chance I ended up with about 1/3 ahead and 1/3 behind.
Anyway I had a 250w brooder lamp at the end of the plate (they could walk out of the plate into the edge of the lamp heat and the food and water was on the other side of the lamp so the water was a bit warmer and they could eat on one side of the feeder under the lamp or the other side out of the lamplight.) and and old 60 watt desk lamp in another corner.
Sometimes the older ones would be in front of the 60w, the middle feathered out ones would be at the edge of the 250w or on top of the plate and others would be under it. During the middle of the day, still cold but with sunlight beaming in the window some would be in the corner with no bonus heat.
So... as long as they have room to get away from it (sounds like it) and you don't mind the extra on the power bill than let them roast their toes a bit, why not?
You could also use a timer, have it turn off during the hot part of the day and just check on them.
 
Very good point!!! The only thing I dislike is them pooping on top of the heating plate. Such a mess and takes a long time to clean even with protective covers. I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to do that anymore haha. That’s why I was rushing a little to wean them off the heating plate.
 
ninafe said:
What if they all sleep on top of it?? Yesterday I tried taking it away and they were not happy at all. All tried to sleep on top of each other in a corner. Then I added it back in and they all happily fell asleep on top….. I’m confused.
Click to expand...
They're likely upset because they're used to having it. Chickens don't like change and will fuss over them.
 

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