Heat plate

[MapleLaurelFarms]

I don't think those chicks are cold

Heat lamps are dang near impossible to regulate the heat at 95 degrees. I just set my brooder up today with a heat lamp - my Brinsea heat plate quit working (need a new power transformer)

But I have it rigged to give them ample heat on one end and plenty of room for them to get out of the heat and self regulate. They will only be in this for a few days before I move them to the in-coop brooder. Ambient temp was 50 degrees and the temp where the thermo was under the heat lamp was 88.

View attachment 4066358


Heat plates are only good to about 50 degrees ambient temp. That's what the mfg suggests anyway. I don't think there is a set temp ambient temp should be. But the colder the ambient temp the more you will want to have a suitable heat source for the chicks to stay warm. They will self regulate but a heat plate probably won't be enough if it's 20 degrees ambient.

Ambient temp seems to depend on the equipment. I have two 22-watt heat plates and have used those in freezing or single-digit temps for years with no issues. I recently ordered and tested a 20-watt heat plate and it didn't get as warm, so I'm thinking it might require higher ambient temps or be better suited for older chicks.

Since @Anchors1411 mentioned that they couldn't hold their hand on the heat plate for longer than 20 seconds or so, I think it's higher wattage so it *should* be okay. Of course, I'd encourage anyone to check manuf instructions with any brooder equipment.

 

[Toothpick]

Since @Anchors1411 mentioned that they couldn't hold their hand on the heat plate for longer than 20 seconds or so, I think it's higher wattage so it *should* be okay. Of course, I'd encourage anyone to check manuf instructions with any brooder equipment.

Well then I now know for sure my Brinsea 1200 heat plate is broke because I can hold my hand on it for a decade and it won't get warm.
I'm hoping a new power cord fixes it.

But I generally agree with you. I have never paid attention to ambient temperature with the heat plate or heat lamp. I've only paid attention to what the temp was where the chicks were resting. If they were under a working heat plate or heat lamp then I called it good.

 

[Anchors1411]

Chicks normally sleep like they just collapsed so that's not an issue. I notice the one towards the front in the photo can't touch the plate though because they're pretty packed in there. Crushing can be a danger to chicks. How many chicks total? I agree bedding would help, so the chicks can snuggle in and retain a little extra heat

Some plates work best at 50F and up, so "above 50" is what I'd aim for.

there are currently eight chicks. I seen a lot of people say the first week to do puppy pads because it was gentle on their feet. But I will look into getting some sort of bedding. I just checked on them again and this is them sleeping. They all seem kind of spread out.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I seen a lot of people say the first week to do puppy pads because it was gentle on their feet. But I will look into getting some sort of bedding. I just checked on them again and this is them sleeping. They all seem kind of spread out.

It's more to prevent them from eating bedding, but I find it easier to provide grit to help them digest any that they eat and let them squish into the bedding.

(Not a plate but same idea)

 

[Toothpick]

Those chicks are fine. Fuhgeddaboudit