Heat plate and plastic tote?

[Bluemonster107]

I have a big sterlite brand plastic bin that I’m setting up for my brooder. I was planning to put the foam shelf paper under pine shavings ... so the little chic feet don’t slip all over... question.. I have a “rent a coop” heating plate I plan on using at an angle so the babies can get close or not “as close”... as needed.... but question... will it be safe to use as such? Like not melt the plastic tote or shelf liner ?? Have never used yet.. thought I would ask other users... thanks!!!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Okay took a look 200 watts the add says not so certain think it may be safer to use with wood not plastic

 

[Bluemonster107]

....think it may be safer to use with wood not plastic...

I have lots of scrap wood (OSB ) from other projects... would you suggest a piece of that on bottom instead... or just build a brooder entirely out of OSB (stranded plywood)? Just absorbs yuck stuff easily

 

[le_bwah]

I used an "electric mama" heat plate in a clear plastic tote without issue—substrates used were puppy pads (for the first few days), then pine shavings and pine pellets. The plate should never really radiate heat—it barely feels warm if you just stick your hand under it. As long as the plate isn't in direct contact with bedding, it's okay to use.

 

[Bluemonster107]

I used an "electric mama" heat plate in a clear plastic tote without issue—substrates used were puppy pads (for the first few days), then pine shavings and pine pellets. The plate should never really radiate heat—it barely feels warm if you just stick your hand under it. As long as the plate isn't in direct contact with bedding, it's okay to use.

Thanks.. I do have puppy pads lying around I could use for first few days as well and yes... the heat does just radiate... not burning feeling.... so the shavings shouldn’t be deep ? Like where they would be fluffy touching the plate?

 

[le_bwah]

The depth isn't as important as the density, I'd say. If it's super fluffed, the legs of the heat plate might sink in too far. Packing it gently kept mine from sinking in.

I took two of the plate's legs off and turned them sideways under the low end (hard to see in this picture) to keep the metal from touching the pad. This allowed the chicks to get close to the heat for the first few days. Would probably make a more secure way of holding the low end up next time.

The bedding got super deep as I added more and more (before I learned of the glory that is pine pellets). After 3-4 days, I could raise the plate up so high that there was no chance of it resting on the substrate.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Good that someone actually using one Thin the no direct contact
should be with bedding or the sides of the brooder

 

[cubalaya]

Premier heat plates work great in plastic or OSB brooders

 

[pennyJo1960]

My brooder is heavy clear plastic I have a heating pad from Amazon not auto shut off lay it over bent hardware cloth makes a tunnel walla works great but also have 4 silky that like to brood for me

 

[Jpat]

if the heat melted that plastic your chicks would look like tiny Mcnuggets

I had terrible luck with quail chicks and my heat plate. Theyd be all snugged up in it and ide go to bed to find them in the corner of the brooder pilled up so cold they were stiff and barely come back to life.

Happened 3 or 4 times i finaly just put the lamp on. i wanna try the plate again tho