Electric heat pad for chicks???

[Mader631]

I have a 12" X 16" elecric heat pad, can i use this instead of a heat lamp? My heat pad only takes 50watt of electricity. I have 9 Junglefowl/pheonix crossed eggs hatching right now........................... plan on using a large rubbermade storage bin as a brooder, use the heat pad on one side & water & food on the other. Would like to know if this would work. I have the incubator in my house & plan on brooding he chicks in the house too, until there old enough to go in the chicken coop.

 

[Painted Spirit]

It'd be worth a try! put a thermometer in there to see where your temps are. I used an old puppy warming tray (2x3ft) on the basement floor under the cardboard brooder box and my chicks at one week old loved it. Between that and a 100 watt bulb they were at 90 for a while and then I raised the bulb over the next few weeks. Unplugged the tray at 5 weeks. The temps down there are 55-60.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

I think its been done before. Just make sure that it doesn't cover the entire floor and they are able to get OFF of it if they choose. I know I've done it when I've hand raised parrots.

 

[smarsh]

I have done this. Either a firm heated mat made for pets or a soft heat pad for human use. You would need to make sure the over all environment was fairly warm, as this will only warm their sleeping/sitting area. I used the soft one drapped over a frame to make a place for them to sleep under, like a mommy; and the firm one to walk on, as it cleaned easy. They were very cute snuggling under the pad, then running out to eat and run about.

 

[parrillofarms]

i think this will work too. just make sure they can get off the pad and can move off it too hot. same concept of a heat lamp. let the chicks make up their mined if too hot or not.

 

[sandiatonimarie]

How do you keep any bedding or litter on the heating pad without causing a fire? Is this one of those rigid pads like the ones at shopthecoop? I know those can have straw or other bedding safely put on them. Any other brands or types of pads that would work? Any other suggestions?

So glad to have found this thread! I intend to get day old wyandottes (about 15) in mid-february and raise them in a metal stock tank and inside my sun room until they are ready to go to the coop/run. I am off the grid with solar power and want to use a heating pad to avoid high wattage heat lamps running 24/7.

Appreciate any and all tips! Thanks!