Which one is the best? The brooder lamp or the heating plate?

[Girly White Silkie]

I would make a heating pad brooder. the cost is a fraction of the cost of a heating plate, and they do not use any where near as much electricity as a heat lamp, and are much safer than a heat lamp.

Thanks!

 

[Girly White Silkie]

I started with a heat lamp for my first brood but quickly converted to the heating pad method after that. Worked great for my last round of bantams who started day one in the coop and never spent a minute in a traditional brooder box. By 3 weeks they really didn’t want the pad any more, though this was during the height of summer and the ambient temp was more than enough for them. The lamp was brutal on my electric bill though.

I don't like brooder lamps.

 

[Girly White Silkie]

IMO, unless you are raising 40+ chicks at a time, you should be deciding between building a heating pad hen and buying a heating plate. I say this having used both.

I should use a heating pad.

 

[Birdinhand]

I have used heat lamps and heating pads. I skipped the plate option because of expense. I made two mother heating pads (MHP's) and I was blown away by how much better it is than a light. heat lamps pose greater fire risk because they produce very concentrated heat, sometimes blow up (had that happen) and are a burn hazard (daughter got a 3rd degree burn from grazing one for half a second). heat lamps, even the proper color red bulbs lead to sleep interruption, throwing off the circadian rhythm of the chicks, leaving them more prone to other problems. MHP's on the other hand allow a much larger area for a more gradual temperature gradient (they are placed on an angle with a low and high end), making it much easier for the chicks to get comfortable and regulate their temperature, they sleep the night through and develop more normally (in my experience, especially noticeable in meat birds). the heat source is much more efficient, using a fraction of the overall electricity, which is nice on the electric bill, and being a lower wattage, also pose a lower risk of fire. I see no need to go to the added expense of using a heat plate. everything you need to know to get started is in this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[Girly White Silkie]

I have used heat lamps and heating pads. I skipped the plate option because of expense. I made two mother heating pads (MHP's) and I was blown away by how much better it is than a light. heat lamps pose greater fire risk because they produce very concentrated heat, sometimes blow up (had that happen) and are a burn hazard (daughter got a 3rd degree burn from grazing one for half a second). heat lamps, even the proper color red bulbs lead to sleep interruption, throwing off the circadian rhythm of the chicks, leaving them more prone to other problems. MHP's on the other hand allow a much larger area for a more gradual temperature gradient (they are placed on an angle with a low and high end), making it much easier for the chicks to get comfortable and regulate their temperature, they sleep the night through and develop more normally (in my experience, especially noticeable in meat birds). the heat source is much more efficient, using a fraction of the overall electricity, which is nice on the electric bill, and being a lower wattage, also pose a lower risk of fire. I see no need to go to the added expense of using a heat plate. everything you need to know to get started is in this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

I go for the heating plates and do they sleep under it?

 

[Countrey Girl]

I have never used the heating plate but I have used the brooder lamp . The brooder lamp works for me. It keeps the water from freezing and keeps them warm in thier coop

 

[Girly White Silkie]

I have never used the heating plate but I have used the brooder lamp . The brooder lamp works for me. It keeps the water from freezing and keeps them warm in thier coop

Try using the heating lamp!

 

[Birdinhand]

I go for the heating plates and do they sleep under it?

there are hard heating plates, those are expensive. a sunbeam brand heating pad can be made to work much better than a light and can handle cold temps and is cheaper than a plate. the chicks do sleep under it until they are older, then on top, then they use it as needed.

 

[Girly White Silkie]

there are hard heating plates, those are expensive. a sunbeam brand heating pad can be made to work much better than a light and can handle cold temps and is cheaper than a plate. the chicks do sleep under it until they are older, then on top, then they use it as needed.

Is there any cheap heating pads?

 

[debid]

Is there any cheap heating pads?

This is the one I have.
http://www.sunbeam.com/pain-relief/...=sbmHeatingPadType&prefv1=heating-pad&start=7

I suggest ordering directly from Sunbeam so you get the model you ordered. A certain major online retailer makes a habit of substituting "similar" models which can be a big problem.