Why can a broody......

[Mimi13]

The misunderstanding was mine totally.
I read the post that said "poor little chicks and ducks panting at TSC".
At the time I didn't know what a TSC was.
Didn't mean to ruffle your feathers.
Your inside brooder is a very clever idea.

No feathers ruffled at all. Sometimes when we are reading, it is difficult to understand what is being said, the way the writer wants. I’m guilty as charged for making those mistakes. If you ask my DH, it’s even hard to understand what I’m saying.

Point in case, this entire post is probably as clear as mud! I’m sorry.

 

[3KillerBs]

The one and only time I used one, I did raise the height of the lamp, but it heated up my entire 420 sq ft sunroom. I swore I’d never do that again.

What I did when brooding chicks outside in the late June/July heat was to change the bulbs to reduce the heat.

I didn't even *think* of using the 250w bulb the borrowed heat lamp came with. I had 100w and 75w reptile night bulbs and, when nighttime lows were over 70, even used a 40w bulb out of a little used lamp.

 

[Mimi13]

What I did when brooding chicks outside in the late June/July heat was to change the bulbs to reduce the heat.

I didn't even *think* of using the 250w bulb the borrowed heat lamp came with. I had 100w and 75w reptile night bulbs and, when nighttime lows were over 70, even used a 40w bulb out of a little used lamp.

I really can’t say enough good things about the heat plates. There is absolutely no worry with them: no worry about a fire hazard, no worry about the chicks or ducklings being too hot, no worry about the remaining part of the house/coop getting so warm, no worry/fuss over changing out bulbs or raising/moving the lamp. They are so incredibly easy. The babies begin by snuggling under the heater, then over time they begin inching out from under it, with their heads sticking out all around the heater. It’s a funny sight. Then, before you know it, they are all laying on top of the heater. What is amazing is how very little they use the heat.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I really can’t say enough good things about the heat plates. There is absolutely no worry with them: no worry about a fire hazard, no worry about the chicks or ducklings being too hot, no worry about the remaining part of the house/coop getting so warm, no worry/fuss over changing out bulbs or raising/moving the lamp. They are so incredibly easy. The babies begin by snuggling under the heater, then over time they begin inching out from under it, with their heads sticking out all around the heater. It’s a funny sight. Then, before you know it, they are all laying on top of the heater. What is amazing is how very little they use the heat.

X2
And they save so much money.
I fought buying them due to the initial cost but thanks to some people on this site, I did the math. Basically they pay for themselves over heat lamps in one brooding.

 

[centrarchid]

X2
And they save so much money.
I fought buying them due to the initial cost but thanks to some people on this site, I did the math. Basically they pay for themselves in one hatching over heat lamps in one brooding.

How do they compare. My co-workers appear to have done a trial with a combination of the heat lamps and heat pads. Major behavior differences were evident to my eyes but no breakdown to my knowledge presented.

 

[Mimi13]

X2
And they save so much money.
I fought buying them due to the initial cost but thanks to some people on this site, I did the math. Basically they pay for themselves in one hatching over heat lamps in one brooding.

Absolutely. I didn’t even think about mentioning the cost aspect, but you are correct.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

How do they compare. My co-workers appear to have done a trial with a combination of the heat lamps and heat pads. Major behavior differences were evident to my eyes but no breakdown to my knowledge presented.

Do you mean performance wise?
Glass heat lamps can break and dependent on brooder, they can be too hot.
If necessary for me to use a fixture for heat lamps I use lower wattage ceramic heat emitters.
They allow for a daily light and dark period. I have a 50W a 75W and a 150W. They are not as breakable as the glass ones but they can break. They don't make a mess if they do. They either crack around the neck or the screw in electrode portion separates but that is rare.
Initially I brooded in a couple homemade Ohio brooders, each with two 250 watt heat lamps (one on each end). That worked well for 50-100 chicks when the ambient temperature was in the 30s F.
Now I rarely brood more than 50 chicks at a time and more often 10-20. I have two Premier 1 heat plates and I'm so glad I bought them. I have a small and an extra small. They use 22 watts and 15 watts respectively. You can't get a more efficient means of brooding. The height is easily adjustable as the chicks grow.
As much as I like the ceramic heat emitters, I don't think I've pulled them out in about 3 years.
By January, I can see myself buying either a medium or large heat plate for greater flexibility on numbers.
I've never tried the Mama heat pads but have no interest in doing so. They may make use of something someone already has around the house but I can't imagine they are as efficient as a purpose built product and they don't require my constructing a cave.

 

[centrarchid]

Do you mean performance wise?
Glass heat lamps can break and dependent on brooder, they can be too hot.
If necessary for me to use a fixture for heat lamps I use lower wattage ceramic heat emitters.
They allow for a daily light and dark period. I have a 50W a 75W and a 150W. They are not as breakable as the glass ones but they can break. They don't make a mess if they do. They either crack around the neck or the screw in electrode portion separates but that is rare.
Initially I brooded in a couple homemade Ohio brooders, each with two 250 watt heat lamps (one on each end). That worked well for 50-100 chicks when the ambient temperature was in the 30s F.
Now I rarely brood more than 50 chicks at a time and more often 10-20. I have two Premier 1 heat plates and I'm so glad I bought them. I have a small and an extra small. They use 22 watts and 15 watts respectively. You can't get a more efficient means of brooding. The height is easily adjustable as the chicks grow.
As much as I like the ceramic heat emitters, I don't think I've pulled them out in about 3 years.
By January, I can see myself buying either a medium or large heat plate for greater flexibility on numbers.
I've never tried the Mama heat pads but have no interest in doing so. They may make use of something someone already has around the house but I can't imagine they are as efficient as a purpose built product and they don't require my constructing a cave.

The units I saw in operation worked with smaller groups of chicks very well. Larger groups like I run have not been tried by me. My ambient temperature for brooding is not too far below what is optimal for chicks even without a heat source. We used to run a 500-chick brooder house that employed a couple heat-lamps. It would require multiple of the other option to get same job done. I would also like to know the life-expectancy of the heat plates; as in how many groups can they work for before wearing out.

 

[Mimi13]

The units I saw in operation worked with smaller groups of chicks very well. Larger groups like I run have not been tried by me. My ambient temperature for brooding is not too far below what is optimal for chicks even without a heat source. We used to run a 500-chick brooder house that employed a couple heat-lamps. It would require multiple of the other option to get same job done. I would also like to know the life-expectancy of the heat plates; as in how many groups can they work for before wearing out.

Yeah, I don’t think I’d want to employ 10 of the heat plates in order to brood 500 chicks. But, the good thing is, I don’t. I have brooded between 5 and 25.

I have two different sizes and brands. My largest plate is a brooder only and uses 62 watts. I did not purchase the domed top as I utilize it for the feed and water.

My other heat plate can be used as a heater as well as the brooder. The brooder uses 40 watts while the heater uses 200 watts. I believe I found these as a fluke on the ‘clearance’ aisle at TSC for a mere $11 each. I snagged two. Yep, it was a mistake they quickly corrected. I have used it both ways.

As far as the life of radiant heating goes, I know that radiant heat flooring lasts for 20+ years. Now I’m sure I don’t brood as often as you, but I’m certain my little heaters will last way after I’m dead and gone. Just saying.

I would dare say these are more for “indoor brooder chicken keepers.’ The biggest plus for these type brooders IMHO is they are cheaper to operate, they are far less dangerous and they do not overheat the surrounding area. As far as the dangerous part goes, not everyone using heat lamps will realize the safety hazard and might not secure them properly (to prevent them from falling.) I don’t know statistics of the heat lamp, but I’m certain there are thousands of animal deaths each year, not to mention loss to property.

Just my thoughts.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The units I saw in operation worked with smaller groups of chicks very well. Larger groups like I run have not been tried by me. My ambient temperature for brooding is not too far below what is optimal for chicks even without a heat source. We used to run a 500-chick brooder house that employed a couple heat-lamps. It would require multiple of the other option to get same job done. I would also like to know the life-expectancy of the heat plates; as in how many groups can they work for before wearing out.

As far as durability, I believe they're built to last years. The only thing that is slightly fragile on them is the legs. I did have a leg break a few years ago. You can buy replacement legs for $3.80 each. I was afraid it would happen again so I bought four but I still have 3 spares.
As I said, I'm usually only hatching up to 50 or so at a time. Usually a lot less but sometimes two settings a week. I've been running the two plates I have nearly year round so it is intermittent use when in a warm space.
Any of the heat plates would be inappropriate for that many chicks. The largest will only keep 50 chicks. They aren't built for commercial scale use.
For 500 chicks or more, it would be better to use what the large producers use. That would be the radiant type hanging heaters. They come in propane, natural gas and electric.
The electric ones come in 120 and 240 volt versions.
https://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/search?searchQuery=brooder
https://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/ProductDisplay?mfPartNumber=105807
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/radiant_heat_brooder.html
Depending on the size room one uses to brood, it may be more efficient to just heat the room to brooding temp.