Is Hot water bottle enough to make my chick warm

[Gwnylion]

Hello can I ask if I can keep my chick warm with a hot water bottle because my dad wont let me buy a heat lamp so I might be forced to use hot water bottle

 

[3KillerBs]

Not to be harsh, but if you aren't allowed to have the basic, necessary equipment to raise an animal then you really ought not to be trying to raise that animal.

Chicks need a steady, reliable source of heat 24/7. I've heard of using hot water bottles in emergencies, but you wouldn't be able to keep it warm enough all the time for weeks.

I don't know how to set them up, but a lot of people love the heating pad cave things. You have to have the right sort of heating pad, however.

 

[Hannahdoesntexist]

Yeah the hot water bottle isn't enough. We actually just used a standard bulb in our lamp as suggested by the breeder we bought our chicks off. One of the globes for those outside auto ones in a lamp holder. Has been more than enough to keep them warm.

 

[The Happster]

Not to be harsh, but if you aren't allowed to have the basic, necessary equipment to raise an animal then you really ought not to be trying to raise that animal

She found it. She's done all she can so far.



Hot water bottle really isn't enough. Try putting a blanket over the cage overnight (leaving air holes!) to try and keep a bit of warmth in. The hot water bottle will go cold overnight, so you really need a better solution. Is there an area in your house, eg. next to a radiator that is especially warm?

 

[ladybrasa]

Plug in heating pad should work okay with a little ‘cave’ as mentioned above, in a pinch. Have read that water bottles can actually draw away heat once cooled down. Don’t blame your parents for not wanting a heat lamp - they can be potentially dangerous! What are the chances of getting a heat plate brooder? Those are safer but can be pricey like $40-$70 or so. Is it hot where you are? You might not need as much supplemental heat if so. Mine didn’t really need the heat plate after a week and a half or so except to hide under, but my house doesn’t have AC. A feather duster or three - turkey feather not Ostrich! - might be helpful for cozy factor. Mine love those. Disclaimer, some people have had problems with them, particularly ostrich feathers, but I haven’t at all.

 

[ladybrasa]

Oh, and if it’s just one chick ... definitely needs a friend Hey shared body heat and mental health!

 

[ladybrasa]

Re-found this article:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...healthier-options-to-heat-your-brooder.72482/

 

[Gwnylion]

Yea I

Plug in heating pad should work okay with a little ‘cave’ as mentioned above, in a pinch. Have read that water bottles can actually draw away heat once cooled down. Don’t blame your parents for not wanting a heat lamp - they can be potentially dangerous! What are the chances of getting a heat plate brooder? Those are safer but can be pricey like $40-$70 or so. Is it hot where you are? You might not need as much supplemental heat if so. Mine didn’t really need the heat plate after a week and a half or so except to hide under, but my house doesn’t have AC. A feather duster or three - turkey feather not Ostrich! - might be helpful for cozy factor. Mine love those. Disclaimer, some people have had problems with them, particularly ostrich feathers, but I haven’t at all.
[/QUOTE
Yea it's hot here since I live in a tropical country where I have a tempreature of 85 degrees day and night it rarely goes down below 79 unless it rains really hard.

 

[Gwnylion]

Oh, and if it’s just one chick ... definitely needs a friend Hey shared body heat and mental health!

Good thing is my mom's side of the family owns a lot of chickens and they're willing to give me at least 2

 

[SA gardener]

What about reptile infrared bulbs ?

250 watt heat lamps, besides being dangerous, are extremely costly to run
A chick needs a heat source till ~45 days of age
Here is the electricity cost
250 watts *45 days (6 weeks) *24 hours = 270 kilowatt hours of energy
Where I live, South Africa :
1 kWh = 2 rand (R)~ ($0.05 )
Thus 270 * R2 = R 540 ($31)
Which is ~ 36 hours (3 days) worth in minimum wage pay (for reference)
Its only worthwhile if you have at least 10 chicks (R54/$3.11 per chick)

Reptile light bulbs are 25 watts to 60 watts (use less energy) and cost less. Not sure if anybody has tried them