U_Stormcrow
Crossing the Road
I use that heat plate myself in a "Commander XXL" 27 gal tote I got from Lowes on special (30.8 x20.3 x14.5). Right after hatching, I lay it flat, using the legs to adjust it so it has a tilt - the birds can seek their own temperature to some degree, and it fills enough of the box that there's no danger of them getting so far away they can't find their way back.Its warm to the touch not hot but the switch will go from 40 watt brooder to 200 watt coop heater and has feet to stand up. It was 40 bucks which is more than red lights but its keeping that space at a constant 95-100 and not 120 trying to find a way to hang the stupid light so it don't cook them. They can get under it toward the middle or stay towards the outside. Pics added. Its really nice wish I had bought it sooner for peace of mind. View attachment 2547486
Usually use a hand towel or two as well as "bumpers". As they get larger, I'll stand it upright, and reverse two of the legs so they just hook the side of the box, to keep it from falling over. Then set a perch across the uprights on the lower legs.
During the day, they have the whole of the box to wander around, eat, drink, whatever. At night, they either cuddle up next to the plate under the perch, or cuddle up on the perch.
Its good for four ducklings to about 2 weeks+. I've ten chicks in there right now, and have taken eight chicks to three weeks in the box (with frequent cleanings). Conveniently, my dog with diabetes gets his food (Hill Prescription diet) in these plastic coated bags which nicely fit the bottom of the box. Pull one out, replace with a clean dry one, wash off the old one with a brush and garden hose, takes a couple minutes. Let dry to repeat in two days.
That's not the normal perch stick, that's my wife's doing.