Heating plate

[djstanczak]

I bought a couple of the Rentacoop brooder heat plates. I am scared that they will burn their little heads. If I put my hand on it it’s to hot to leave there. I have it raised high enough that they can walk around under, but if I put a thermometer under then it is only 80 degrees which is not hot enough. I am tempted to go back to heat lamps as I don’t feel I can control the temperature. Somebody please tell me what the temp should be under the plate and that I am not going to end up with a bunch of bald chicks and ducks

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

I've never used one of those, but it sounds scary. I just use regular old heat lamps. They work great, and the chicks can always move around just were the heat is right.

 

[BullChick]

Would you believe there is no right temperature? I have actually seen some books claim that chicks need up to 100° in the brooder for the first few weeks.
If the chicks and ducklings are quiet, they are comfortable. That is the right temperature.
No, they won’t burn their heads.

 

[paneubert]

The heat plate, if you touch it, is like 150 degrees. The chicks just put their back against it for a little heat. Trust in the fact that they are used widely....maybe not as widely as lamps, but still very widely. I don't think I have ever heard someone say that a plate hurt or burned their chick. I think there was one story on here about a homemade heating pad cave that caused some trouble. But it was fixed and was a one time problem.

 

[blackdog043]

I use the mamma heat pad, but I looked on the rent a coop site and found the info below, So it sounds like it's ok. I don't know how you lower the temp for them to ween them from heat, but I also found a heat controller on amazon.

"The underside of the plate is heated to approximately 125 degrees. This will feel very warm to the human hand, but the chicks will find it comfortable."

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074NBWXNT/?tag=backy-20

 

[imnukensc]

The brooder heat plates are wonderful IMO. They don't work like a heat lamp as previously noted and you don't need a thermometer under it. One thing I do is set the legs so the plate is angled---higher at the front and lower at the back. You'll really appreciate the plate once you use it and so will your chicks.

 

[HeidiN]

I have a mama heating pad, but was considering the heat plate. Is it worth the extra cost? I know the mama heating pad is a little tricky to regulate temp. And adjusting the height was a bit laborious last year.

 

[paneubert]

I have a mama heating pad, but was considering the heat plate. Is it worth the extra cost? I know the mama heating pad is a little tricky to regulate temp. And adjusting the height was a bit laborious last year.

As much as I support and admire all the work that has gone into the Mama Heating Pad method, I feel the "extra" cost of the commercial product is worth it. But that is just me.

 

[djstanczak]

We got the height adjusted and they all seem happy

 

[Shorty22366]

I use Mama Heating Pad and I love it. Keeps my babies warm and are very safe.