Lamp vs plate

[dragonmaker]

I don’t know whether to get a heat lamp or a brooder plate for my future ducklings. I don’t even know how to use either one to keep them warm. Please advise and tell me which one you prefer.

 

[Sally PB]

Brooder plate, hands down. Heat lamps have caused a lot of fires.

 

[Squawkers]

The brooder plate is always considered best. The brooder plate is more natural to the babies because of the way the heat emits and the fact that they have night and day. With the heat lamp, it is always bright. It is also much safer because fires are a big concern with heat lamps. Brooder plates also use much less power. The only reason I can think of (maybe? I’m not entirely sure) that you might would ether have a heat lamp is if the ambient temperature is very cold. The plate only heats the area under it while the lamp heats a much larger area. But, you don’t want the whole brooder hot, they need to be able to get to a cooler spot if they get overheated. I know brooder plates can be much more expensive, which might be a reason why somebody would choose the lamp instead, but the plate is better. It is your decision though, get what you want.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Are you brooding outside or inside? Livestock Heat lamps were never meant to be used indoors and even if you manage to secure them correctly they get too hot if used in an already heated building. I brood out in a barn and only use a heat lamp over the food/water area when it’s cold enough that I am worried about the water temp lowering their body temperature. They also have a brooder plate, but my brooder is 10’x10’ and the barn is not heated. In a house I would only recommend using a brooder plate.

 

[dragonmaker]

I’ll be brooding in my unheated garage

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Are you brooding outside or inside? Livestock Heat lamps were never meant to be used indoors and even if you manage to secure them correctly they get too hot if used in an already heated building. I brood out in a barn and only use a heat lamp over the food/water area when it’s cold enough that I am worried about the water temp lowering their body temperature. They also have a brooder plate, but my brooder is 10’x10’ and the barn is not heated. In a house I would only recommend using a brooder plate.

true though the white heat bulbs say indoor The reds do not

 

[Canadian Wind]

true though the white heat bulbs say indoor The reds do not

You end up with them having light 24 hours a day though.

I don’t know whether to get a heat lamp or a brooder plate for my future ducklings. I don’t even know how to use either one to keep them warm. Please advise and tell me which one you prefer.

I switched to a brooder plate this year and love it. Just remember to raise it as they grow. What season are you getting the ducklings? Id Spring/Summer they should be fine with just the plate in an outdoor garage.

 

[dragonmaker]

I’m planning on getting them in spring.

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

I used a regular heat lamp in my garage last spring. I just made sure there wasn't anything near it to start a fire and made sure it was double secure so it would not fall on anything and cords were put up so they couldn't pull on them.

Worked great for me.

 

[My15Ducks]

I used a heat plate this year for the first time and I had no problems. The ducklings love it!