I have now tried all 3 methods and here are my results.
Heat lamp. I had difficulty getting the right height to get the correct temp and as the outside temp varied it was challenging to keep compensating with the lamp. I live in the North and temps in April and May can vary widely. I also was unable to figure out a system to safely adjust the height of the lamp by just a few inches at a time. Overall it was a nerve wracking experience. And the connections on the lamp corroded within two years.
Plate. This was much easier. Had to keep cleaning poop off the top and it is difficult to adjust the height. Both of those problems have been corrected with newer models. The money was definitely worth the peace of mind.
Heating pad. Used the Sunbeam x large which is sewn onto wire panel. Hands down the winner. I put the plate and the heating pad both in the broader. Put chicks under each so they could find them. By morning they were all under the heating pad. I think they liked the heating pad better because they could surround themselves with heat since the pad curves down to the floor. I always see them grouped around the edges of the pad. In my temp tests the temp underneath was in the low 80's but I figured their own body heat probably raises the temperature enough as I have had no losses and the barn temperature has been in the mid 40's. I have kept the pad on the highest setting and will experiment with dropping it down as outside temps rise and chicks age, etc. In temp trials dropping the heat level dropped the interior temp by about 10 degrees. I have never been able to control the temperature ad accurately as is suggested with any method by 5 degrees at a time. The Cornish Cross that I have raised don't seem to be highly sensitive once they get going. The added bonus of the heating pad is that the chicks hop up and down the outside of the pad like crazy since day 2. I was sure they would get stuck in the wire, but the Cornish X even flap their wings as they hop. Who knew?
Food and water are out in the cold. They have no problems going out and depending n the temperature stay out for more or less time.
I prefer the plate or heating pad because I raise my meat birds in a tractor, and then from the beginning they are being acclimated to varying temperatures... Just like nature. After 3 years I have had no losses due to temperature problems. (Only loss was when a grandchild stepped on one...Lord give me strength.)
Final note: I raise 15-17 chicks in a horse trough for my broader and use one Sunbeam XLg heating pad, or one plate, or one heat lamp which illuminated half of the area.
Heat lamp. I had difficulty getting the right height to get the correct temp and as the outside temp varied it was challenging to keep compensating with the lamp. I live in the North and temps in April and May can vary widely. I also was unable to figure out a system to safely adjust the height of the lamp by just a few inches at a time. Overall it was a nerve wracking experience. And the connections on the lamp corroded within two years.
Plate. This was much easier. Had to keep cleaning poop off the top and it is difficult to adjust the height. Both of those problems have been corrected with newer models. The money was definitely worth the peace of mind.
Heating pad. Used the Sunbeam x large which is sewn onto wire panel. Hands down the winner. I put the plate and the heating pad both in the broader. Put chicks under each so they could find them. By morning they were all under the heating pad. I think they liked the heating pad better because they could surround themselves with heat since the pad curves down to the floor. I always see them grouped around the edges of the pad. In my temp tests the temp underneath was in the low 80's but I figured their own body heat probably raises the temperature enough as I have had no losses and the barn temperature has been in the mid 40's. I have kept the pad on the highest setting and will experiment with dropping it down as outside temps rise and chicks age, etc. In temp trials dropping the heat level dropped the interior temp by about 10 degrees. I have never been able to control the temperature ad accurately as is suggested with any method by 5 degrees at a time. The Cornish Cross that I have raised don't seem to be highly sensitive once they get going. The added bonus of the heating pad is that the chicks hop up and down the outside of the pad like crazy since day 2. I was sure they would get stuck in the wire, but the Cornish X even flap their wings as they hop. Who knew?
Food and water are out in the cold. They have no problems going out and depending n the temperature stay out for more or less time.
I prefer the plate or heating pad because I raise my meat birds in a tractor, and then from the beginning they are being acclimated to varying temperatures... Just like nature. After 3 years I have had no losses due to temperature problems. (Only loss was when a grandchild stepped on one...Lord give me strength.)
Final note: I raise 15-17 chicks in a horse trough for my broader and use one Sunbeam XLg heating pad, or one plate, or one heat lamp which illuminated half of the area.
