Questions about heating plates for ducklings

[Twhi7]

Hi everyone!
I am strongly considering getting ducklings in the next couple of months, but I am still in the research phase right now. I would get 3-4 Khaki Campbells shipped to me (day-old I believe). I am planning out how I would set up the brooder and pricing things out to get an estimate. My main question right now is about heat lamps versus heating plates. From what I have read so far, I am definitely leaning towards getting a heating plate. I like that they seem to be much safer than heat lamps, and I am definitely willing to pay extra for a safe, efficient product. I do have questions though!

1. Will heating plates provide sufficient heat for my day-old shipped ducklings? I know the first 24 hours after arrival is critical so I just want to make sure this would be a reliable heat source for such young ducklings that have just gone through what I assume was a stressful experience of being shipped.

2. Will heating plates work for growing ducklings until they no longer need a heat source? I have read that ducklings grow very fast and I want to make sure this is something they can use until they get their feathers and no longer need a source of heat. I have seen some with adjustable legs that can rise as they grow, but I am still wondering if they will be able to fit as they get older. I would prefer not to have to buy both a heating plate and heat lamp.

3. I am also wondering about temperature control. Are there different settings to keep the heat at specific temperatures or is it just warm underneath and the ducklings come and go as they please?

4. Is it still okay to keep the brooder in my garage with the heating plate? I am not sure exactly how cold it gets in the garage at night but wondering if this is still an option or even makes a difference versus using a heat lamp. It would be April/May when I get them and I live in Western WA so I don’t imagine it will be very cold at the time.

5. What size heating plate would you recommend getting for 4 ducklings that would be big enough for them to grow up using as their only source of heat (if that is even a realistic goal of course)?

6. What are your experiences with heating plates? Do you have any brands you recommend (links appreciated if possible)? Any tips?

I apologize for all the questions. I’m new to all of this and just want to make the best decisions for my future ducklings even if you are just able to answer one of the questions or just share a little of your experience I would greatly appreciate it!

thanks so much in advance!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

OK, I've used the cheap TSC house brand heating plate to brood ducklings. Heat plates aren't lamps, they don't really radiate heat - the ducks will cuddle up with it, and warm thru contact, then go away when (if) they get too warm.

No reason you can't do it in the garage, which is sheltered and draft free - I do mine in an RV, much the same.

I just brooded four pekins, we were dropping to 20s overnight. Started them in a 27 gallon black tote I got from Lowes on special, set the brooder on a tilt (the legs adjust, somewhat) so the birds could find a spot that works well for them. The tote, for reference, is a "Commander XXL 27 gallon", I think it was $10, but the size is just right to fit the heat plate horizontally.

As they grew, I adjusted the legs as far as I could, and then set it upright, using two legs as "hooks" to keep it from falling into the brooder box. That took my ducks to about two weeks+ of age. Could have gone longer, but I had the space, so I moved them to a 3.5' x 4.5' (roughly) area of the shed, with power, plugged it in there, again upright. That took them to about 3 weeks, when I needed it for my next hatching (chicks), so I moved them to the barn, with a few chicken hatchlings about 3 weeks older than they, and a heat lamp (no fire concerns on recycled concrete floor and hardieboard walls). They were there until I integrated with the adult flock at about 10 weeks,

 

[Twhi7]

OK, I've used the cheap TSC house brand heating plate to brood ducklings. Heat plates aren't lamps, they don't really radiate heat - the ducks will cuddle up with it, and warm thru contact, then go away when (if) they get too warm.

No reason you can't do it in the garage, which is sheltered and draft free - I do mine in an RV, much the same.

I just brooded four pekins, we were dropping to 20s overnight. Started them in a 27 gallon black tote I got from Lowes on special, set the brooder on a tilt (the legs adjust, somewhat) so the birds could find a spot that works well for them. The tote, for reference, is a "Commander XXL 27 gallon", I think it was $10, but the size is just right to fit the heat plate horizontally.

As they grew, I adjusted the legs as far as I could, and then set it upright, using two legs as "hooks" to keep it from falling into the brooder box. That took my ducks to about two weeks+ of age. Could have gone longer, but I had the space, so I moved them to a 3.5' x 4.5' (roughly) area of the shed, with power, plugged it in there, again upright. That took them to about 3 weeks, when I needed it for my next hatching (chicks), so I moved them to the barn, with a few chicken hatchlings about 3 weeks older than they, and a heat lamp (no fire concerns on recycled concrete floor and hardieboard walls). They were there until I integrated with the adult flock at about 10 weeks,

Thanks so much! Would you recommend the TSC heating plate?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thanks so much! Would you recommend the TSC heating plate?

I wouldn't suggest avoiding it. I've had it running non stop since November, its been reliable and easy to clean. If its still running in a year, i'll recommend it. For now, its performing to expectations.

Only complaint it that the legs aren't solid. They are reasonably built, not flimsy, but the hollows collect poultry droppings, which is where most of my time cleaning gets spent.

 

[CoriM]

I used a 12x12" heating plate and I loved it. I never tilted it, just kept it level. Once my ducklings were a week or two old they loved to jump up on it and sit on top, but they also loved going under it and even when they were so big they could barely fit, one duck would try to wedge herself under there - just have to be careful it doesn't touch their heads.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

and for convenience, this is the TSC Heat Plate I'm using.

and this is the tote from Lowes.

I use a stick from my yard as a perch when chickens are in there (free), two clothespins and a bit of plastic netting (scrap) to keep them inside when they start jump/flying (about two weeks). A thin beach towel, king sized pillowcase, a bit of left over fabric - almost anything would work, but I like being able to see thru it when I check on them w/o removing it.

 

[Twhi7]

and for convenience, this is the TSC Heat Plate I'm using.

and this is the tote from Lowes.

I use a stick from my yard as a perch when chickens are in there (free), two clothespins and a bit of plastic netting (scrap) to keep them inside when they start jump/flying (about two weeks). A thin beach towel, king sized pillowcase, a bit of left over fabric - almost anything would work, but I like being able to see thru it when I check on them w/o removing it.

Thank you - I appreciate all your help!

 

[Twhi7]

I used a 12x12" heating plate and I loved it. I never tilted it, just kept it level. Once my ducklings were a week or two old they loved to jump up on it and sit on top, but they also loved going under it and even when they were so big they could barely fit, one duck would try to wedge herself under there - just have to be careful it doesn't touch their heads.

What brand heating plate did you use? And would you say the 12 x 12” size would work fine for 3-4 ducks as their primary source of heat? Thanks for your input!

 

[CoriM]

This is the one I got, but not the cover: https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalo...ting-Plate-12x12-Height-Adjustable-p2644.aspx

I had 6 ducklings and it worked great!

 

[Twhi7]

This is the one I got, but not the cover: https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalo...ting-Plate-12x12-Height-Adjustable-p2644.aspx

I had 6 ducklings and it worked great!

Awesome - thanks so much!