Feather duster under a heat plate, question

[Scotty from BI]

Hi, I have ordered a Sweeter Heater 11" x 40" heat plate to brood about 18 one or two day old mail order chicks. It seems a bit sterile and I was wonderinging about adding a couple of feather dusters to make it seem more natural.

Can you think of any downsides? I don't think it will increase the fire hazard. I believe the ignition or smoke point of feathers is pretty high compared to the max temp of the heat plate at about 185 degrees f. There should be adequate room but is there something I may not be thinking of?

Most of the feather dusters available on Amazon are ostrich feathers.

 

[AlleysChicks]

Idk about near a hot plate but a kids feather boa bunched up works great! I bought one for $1 and had it hanging in my brooder. My chicks loved it!

 

[Scotty from BI]

Idk about near a hot plate but a kids feather boa bunched up works great! I bought one for $1 and had it hanging in my brooder. My chicks loved it!

I looked for feather boas and they all seem to be made of ostrich feathers also but most are dyed.

The ostrich feathers seem very fine. I wonder if the chicks might eat them.

 

[AlleysChicks]

I got a white one. Mine didn't eat any feathers but they did play with them a lot. They were too busy trying to beat the others under the "mommy"