Heat lamp vs electric brooder

[Bodhisan]

I successfully used the heating pad sitting on a frame, so the chickies can get underneath - it they get too warm, they can come out or stand on top of be beside it. There's an article, I think, on this forum on it. Here we go:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[Auntiejessi3]

DIY one! That’s cool, I’ll look into it. Thanks

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

 

[FluffAndFeather]

I successfully used the heating pad sitting on a frame, so the chickies can get underneath - it they get too warm, they can come out or stand on top of be beside it. There's an article, I think, on this forum on it. Here we go:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

Thank you!

 

[Chickenbubble22]

Hey y’all! I’m getting chicks for my first time and should I get a heat lamp or electric brooder? I am getting 1 small batch of 3 chicks, that’s it. I won’t get more until they die. Also other tips for first timers would be awesome

Personally, I've tried both and had a poor experience with the electric heat plate thingy. It barely gave off heat, the ducklings seemed cold, and they would also jump on top of it and poop all over it...eventually I had a duckling die, I think she got too cold. Plus, without the light, the enclosure is dark and gloomy, and the only "warm" place is beneath the plate. I quit using it after that and gave it to my grandma who wanted to try it, and apparently it worked alright for her chicks, but I still am not a fan. I prefer heat lamps because they light up the space and everywhere is warm and comfortable for the chicks.
Other tips:
Putting your feeders and waterers on slightly raised blocks or, better yet, hanging them in the air, will significantly help to keep their bedding from piling up inside their feeders and waterers.
Also, when possible, I prefer to use paper towels for bedding. It makes it 1000x easier to replace bedding and keep it clean, AND it won't get into their feeders and waterers! When you want to clean it, just take out the old paper towels and put new ones in! This works best in smaller enclosures versus big ones that would need a lot of paper towels to cover. Since you're getting a small batch of chicks I'm assuming you won't have them in a ginormous enclosure or anything, so this method might work well.
I hatch my own chicks as well as order from hatcheries. When they come from hatcheries they typically instinctually know how to eat and drink, but when I hatch chicks I usually have to teach them how to drink. If you're worried that they're not drinking, you can dip the end of their beak in the water (be careful not to cover their nostrils) for a moment until they open their mouth. Then set them down and they will swallow, and it will click for them. Once one chick knows how to drink/eat, the others will catch on really quickly.
Good luck!!

 

[FluffAndFeather]

Personally, I've tried both and had a poor experience with the electric heat plate thingy. It barely gave off heat, the ducklings seemed cold, and they would also jump on top of it and poop all over it...eventually I had a duckling die, I think she got too cold. Plus, without the light, the enclosure is dark and gloomy, and the only "warm" place is beneath the plate. I quit using it after that and gave it to my grandma who wanted to try it, and apparently it worked alright for her chicks, but I still am not a fan. I prefer heat lamps because they light up the space and everywhere is warm and comfortable for the chicks.
Other tips:
Putting your feeders and waterers on slightly raised blocks or, better yet, hanging them in the air, will significantly help to keep their bedding from piling up inside their feeders and waterers.
Also, when possible, I prefer to use paper towels for bedding. It makes it 1000x easier to replace bedding and keep it clean, AND it won't get into their feeders and waterers! When you want to clean it, just take out the old paper towels and put new ones in! This works best in smaller enclosures versus big ones that would need a lot of paper towels to cover. Since you're getting a small batch of chicks I'm assuming you won't have them in a ginormous enclosure or anything, so this method might work well.
I hatch my own chicks as well as order from hatcheries. When they come from hatcheries they typically instinctually know how to eat and drink, but when I hatch chicks I usually have to teach them how to drink. If you're worried that they're not drinking, you can dip the end of their beak in the water (be careful not to cover their nostrils) for a moment until they open their mouth. Then set them down and they will swallow, and it will click for them. Once one chick knows how to drink/eat, the others will catch on really quickly.
Good luck!!

Thank you so so much! This was really helpful!!

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

FWIW: I've brooded a LOT of chicks over the years and have always used a heat lamp in the garage or back porch with great results. Recently I was reading the Cackle site (they are one of the best hatcheries out there) and on their order form they ask buyers to promise to use a heat lamp and not one of those heat plate gadgets. ("I agree to use a heat lamp for chicks, NOT a heat plate.") If I were just starting out, I think I'd pay strong attention to those recommendations.

HTH

 

[FluffAndFeather]

FWIW: I've brooded a LOT of chicks over the years and have always used a heat lamp in the garage or back porch with great results. Recently I was reading the Cackle site (they are one of the best hatcheries out there) and on their order form they ask buyers to promise to use a heat lamp and not one of those heat plate gadgets. ("I agree to use a heat lamp for chicks, NOT a heat plate.") If I were just starting out, I think I'd pay strong attention to their recommendations.

HTH

Ok! Thank you so much!

 

[StinkyAcres]

I have always used a heat lamp in my unheated utility room and have only lost one chick in the brooder (unknown illness) in the 16 years I've raised chickens. I almost switched to a brooder plate but decided to stick with the heat lamp because brooder plates are expensive and most brooder plates are too small for older chicks. They also take up a lot of space in the brooder (I use a stock tank). Yes, the risk of fire is scary, but I keep a very, very close eye on it, have a smoke alarm in the room, and keep a thermometer in the brooder at all times.

 

[NanaK]

Personally, I've tried both and had a poor experience with the electric heat plate thingy. It barely gave off heat, the ducklings seemed cold, and they would also jump on top of it and poop all over it...eventually I had a duckling die, I think she got too cold.

Most heat plates are recomended to be used in a room with temps at least 50-55f. I also purchased to thermostat because it helps to better control temperatures.

Plus, without the light, the enclosure is dark and gloomy, and the only "warm" place is beneath the plate.

I have also used a light in the past.
I raised one group of chicks that wanted to feather pick.
Since I used the heat plate that allows for darkness at night, I've never had that issue again.

Some chicks can be overstimulated by non-stop light and no night period. Having night darkness is closer to what they would have being raised with a hen.

But both the brooder plate or the light will work just fine.

 

[FrostRanger]

FWIW: I've brooded a LOT of chicks over the years and have always used a heat lamp in the garage or back porch with great results. Recently I was reading the Cackle site (they are one of the best hatcheries out there) and on their order form they ask buyers to promise to use a heat lamp and not one of those heat plate gadgets. ("I agree to use a heat lamp for chicks, NOT a heat plate.") If I were just starting out, I think I'd pay strong attention to those recommendations.

HTH

As much as I respect cackle, I do disagree with them on that point. Many people myself included use heat plates with mail order chicks without issues.

I prefer a small heatlamp, the electic brooders for a few birds are very small and chicks have to come out from under it into the cold to eat and drink. Also, it's unnaturally dark under the brooders and in my opinion hinders the growth and vitality of the chicks. After losing several home hatched chicks under the brooder, went back to heat lamps and have not lost a bird.

The fact that they can come out from the heat is a perk, helps them acclimate to the ambient temperatures faster. If they were with their mother they'd be darting in and out from underneath her so it is a bit more natural.

That said, both do have their place, heat lamps are better in outdoor setups where it still gets below 55F, brooder plates are better indoors especially if it gets hot. It also just comes down to personal preference