K&H Pet Products Thermo-Peep Heated Pad

[ChickenFatHead]

Has anyone tried to raise one week old chickens with this?https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JHK375E/?tag=backy-20 Is it warm enough? Mine gets up to 85 so I'm not sure its enough.

 

[Melky]

Has anyone tried to raise one week old chickens with this?https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JHK375E/?tag=backy-20 Is it warm enough? Mine gets up to 85 so I'm not sure its enough.

No a heat lamp that is $9.00 from tractor supply will do and one 250 red bulb. Tie securely the lamp so it does not touch or fall at 18 inches or higher to adjust heat. I used a thermoregulator to control the temp on the lamp. I do have the heating pad but just the larger black one in my coop for winter heat. First week need temps 90-95 degrees. Wean by 5 degrees weekly till at 65-70 then off. Can go out when fully feathered out usually 4-5 weeks earliest and 6-8 weeks latest.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I think a heating pad is cheaper, no? And tested on humans, so it's good enough for chickens too.

 

[ChickenFatHead]

I'm expecting the chicks soon. How bad is it if it only reaches 85 in the first week? The nights get colder to about 70

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm expecting the chicks soon. How bad is it if it only reaches 85 in the first week? The nights get colder to about 70

Is the 85 degrees the surface temperature of that unit?

I used a regular heating pad down to the 40s at night. I didn't check the actual surface temperature of the pad though.

 

[ChickenFatHead]

Is the 85 degrees the surface temperature of that unit?

I used a regular heating pad down to the 40s at night. I didn't check the actual surface temperature of the pad though.

It is the actual surface temperature. I'm trying to brood outside. The nights get into the 40s but the surface temp of the pad is 85 during the day and 81 at night. I plan on raising just 3 chicks to add to my flock.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I think 85 should still be enough (kinda wish the unit had different temperature settings), but definitely want to make sure the pad is placed somewhere with windbreaks so that there's no drafts.

As a backup you might want a heat lamp on hand, I keep my old one around "just in case" but only used it to temporarily warm my last batch while I set up their brooder (I got them a day early and wasn't 100% ready!)

 

[aart]

My heating pad is ~120°F on the surface....plates are about the same and can be hotter.
@RoosterML has some temp data on floor heating unit.

 

[RoosterML]

I wouldn't have them outside with your setup if you can only achieve 81°. Your nearly 10° under what you should be.
Why not buy a heating pad for $15 and be done with it.