Looking for a rec on a brooder plate

[SheaLoner]

I've used a Mama heating pad in the past and it worked well. This year I either need to buy a new heating pad or a plate. Prices being what they are I'm leaning towards a plate.
Any recs on a good cheap one that lasts?

 

[DobieLover]

I've used a Mama heating pad in the past and it worked well. This year I either need to buy a new heating pad or a plate. Prices being what they are I'm leaning towards a plate.
Any recs on a good cheap one that lasts?

I used this one to brood two batches of chicks. The second batch of 15 was brooded in the built-in brooder in my coop during spring. I tossed a towel over it to make it cave like. The chicks experienced temps down to 23F one night and they did just fine with it.

 

[Iluveggers]

I used the rent a coop plate. The 12x12 with poop cover cone. (The cone prevents them from sitting on top so you don’t have to constantly clean the plate). There’s also a 10x10 for $49. I brooded 15 chicks with it for 4 weeks. It was great.

RentACoop (12" x 12") Chick Brooder Heating Plate & Anti-Roost Cone Set - Warms Up to 20 Chicks - 22 Watts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DLFWFNF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_4P4HQXMDN97WAJWQ7C00

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I used one from TSC non stop from December 2020 until my last hatch in November 2021. It was only unplugged long enough for cleanings. Will be going back in use in a couple weeks, when I start up again. Its been surprisingly good to me, and inexpensive.

The legs aren't as adjustable as some, and the hollow "f" shape of them is sometimes an annoyance to clean, but I can stand it up against the wall of my tote ppy placing the upper legs over the edge - somethign you can't do with the "rod leg" style brooders, so it works well for me.

 

[SheaLoner]

I like the size of the tsc one but quality seems suspect.
How many chicks can the 12x12 ones handle? Large breed and csx?

 

[Iluveggers]

My 12x12 was good for 15 standards up to 4 weeks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Not sure what heating pads you're looking at but they're far cheaper than a plate, especially if you still have the parts you used for the framework to support it. If not, then prices are closer to even depending on what items you use to build a frame.

If you decide to go with a plate, be aware that many of them have a suggested temperature range for operation, in case you plan on using it outdoors or in winter/early spring.

 

[aart]

My 12 x 24 was just barely big enough to keep 16 chicks until they no longer needed heat(~5wks).

 

[SheaLoner]

Not sure what heating pads you're looking at but they're far cheaper than a plate, especially if you still have the parts you used for the framework to support it. If not, then prices are closer to even depending on what items you use to build a frame.

If you decide to go with a plate, be aware that many of them have a suggested temperature range for operation, in case you plan on using it outdoors or in winter/early spring.

The ones I was looking at were up to almost $50 for a reliable one. I need to build a new framework if using a heating pad again, and currently I'm down the use of my right arm for at least the next month.
Min working temps can be worked around by using mama heating pad tricks, like a woolhen or towel covering or a cardboard surround.

 

[Poodlemum]

Hmmmm, I didn’t consider the amount of chicks needed for different sizes of brooder plates… Looks like a lamp will be the best option for the first batch. Oops