Help with heating!!

[Allegra17]

I’m so confused with how to heat my chicks. I got day old chicks about 5 years ago and somehow figured it out then but I’m confused this time.

My chicks are suddenly being delivered tomorrow with very short notice so I’m short on time. I have my old heat lamp from my chicks before but the lamp has been in the attic and we plugged it in to try to get the correct temp and it started smelling funky. We have 3 small children in the house and don’t want to risk a fire. I’m not sure what to do now. I had bought the Fluker’s dimmable heat lamp but realized it only is capable of bulbs up to 150W. I’m not sure what to do now. I’m tempted to get a non heat lamp option but don’t know which one is right for me since I only have 2 chicks coming. Plus I need something asap since my chicks are coming tomorrow!

 

[Rose the Legbar]

You can get a small brooder plate for your chicks. Most feed stores should have them, I found mine at tractor supply. I would recommend turning it on 8-12 hours before getting the chicks to allow for warming up time. I know some people say that brooding plates are too cold for shipped chicks, but my shipped chicks were just fine under a brooding plate.

Also, a huge plus about a brooder plate is there is a very low chance for it to catch fire. It’s super great when brooding indoors and not having to worry about a fire risk.

 

[Allegra17]

You can get a small brooder plate for your chicks. Most feed stores should have them, I found mine at tractor supply. I would recommend turning it on 8-12 hours before getting the chicks to allow for warming up time. I know some people say that brooding plates are too cold for shipped chicks, but my shipped chicks were just fine under a brooding plate.

Also, a huge plus about a brooder plate is there is a very low chance for it to catch fire. It’s super great when brooding indoors and not having to worry about a fire risk.

Like this one? https://www.amazon.com/Tiflev-Brood...55e95083f43993f2a8470a8e3c4&gad_source=1&th=1

How would I know how high to make it? And it will provide them with enough warmth even though it’s only 2 chicks.

 

[Rose the Legbar]

That one looks adjustable by twisting the legs up and down. The rule that I use is that the plate touches their back when they stand up (depending on how hot it gets). I would also suggest having one side higher than the other side so they can choose where they want to be. 2 chicks would be adequately warmed by the brooder plate. I raised 3 chicks under a similar plate with no problems .

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you own a heating pad without auto shut off, you can rig up a mama heating pad:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/ Works similar to a heat plate but lower cost if you have most of the materials on hand.

There's a variety of ways to set it up. Mine is only good for a few chicks, but since you mentioned only getting 2, it would work for yours. My set up is about 1/3rd of the way down on this page: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/