Tips for switching to brooder plate for next brood— on a tight budget!

[Ohsrsly]

I used a red heat lamp for my last brood of chicks, but I am getting 6 chicks in March and would like to switch to a brooding plate. I am wondering what advice there is for use of a brooding plate—do I set it to certain temperatures at different times? How do i know if it’s warm enough or too warm?

Recommendations for a low-cost brooding plate are appreciated as well. My budget is tight, but I think the red light has too many downsides to continue with it for our next brood.

 

[Noraaaaa]

Usually you won’t change the temperature. You raise it up and down on stilts for younger and older chicks! You want their back to touch. You can check the manual that will come with the heater for warmth recommendations!

The heat plate I use is 30 bucks on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/Eggluuz-Broo...=1739300580&sprefix=heat+playe,aps,128&sr=8-4

 

[rosemarythyme]

Cheapest option is a mama heating pad, especially if you already have a heating pad without auto shut off sitting around the house. Quite often you can cobble together the rest with materials sitting around the house.

You don't really have to adjust temperatures on either a plate or heating pad. If there is a temperature setting you can usually start on high for the first week or slow, then take it down a notch for another week, and so on. You may need to set the unit up higher as time passes since chicks won't fit under it very well as they begin growing.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I just posted these pics in another thread. Mine is a Producers Pride from Tractor Supply $50...

The switch has 2 settings, heater and brooder. I adjust the legs so it's higher in front so my littles can warm their backs as they like.

Here it's set up in my coop, the brooder is built under the poop boards.

 

[Faithjo]

@wrathsfarm I bought this same brooder today, does it seem to keep your chicks warm enough? Mine isn’t getting very hot

 

[wrathsfarm]

@wrathsfarm I bought this same brooder today, does it seem to keep your chicks warm enough? Mine isn’t getting very hot

It should be very warm to the touch on the face of it, when switched to 'brooder' setting.
This allows the chicks to get under it and warm their backs. This setting is not meant to heat an area at only 40w.


The 'heater' setting is 200w and is meant to free stand for adult birds to warm up next to it. It will warm a small area around it.

**The 'heater' setting is extremely too hot for chick brooding and should not be used. The instructions warn of this.

 

[Faithjo]

It should be very warm to the touch on the face of it, when switched to 'brooder' setting.
This allows the chicks to get under it and warm their backs. This setting is not meant to heat an area at only 40w.


The 'heater' setting is 200w and is meant to free stand for adult birds to warm up next to it. It will warm a small area around it.

**The 'heater' setting is extremely too hot for chick brooding and should not be used. The instructions warn of this.

Ok!! Thanks! I was afraid they would get too cold under it

 

[wrathsfarm]

Ok!! Thanks! I was afraid they would get too cold under it

If you noticed, I set mine so it's higher in the front. This allows each chick (bigger and smaller) to find their comfortable spot at their level by going under more if they need it. I adjust it higher as they grow and if I need to, set the legs on blocks.

When introducing chicks for the first time I place them all under it, they very quickly learn that's their 'Mommas' heat. I usually place their feed and water semi close the first few days and then gradually move it away as they grow, because they spend a lot more time under it the first few days to a week especially in cold weather.
If your brooding at room temp this isn't too much of a concern.
Mine are normally moved to the coops to start integrating within a couple days after hatching.
The pics above were late October, in Michigan weather.

 

[Faithjo]

If you noticed, I set mine so it's higher in the front. This allows each chick (bigger and smaller) to find their comfortable spot at their level by going under more if they need it. I adjust it higher as they grow and if I need to, set the legs on blocks.

When introducing chicks for the first time I place them all under it, they very quickly learn that's their 'Mommas' heat. I usually place their feed and water semi close the first few days and then gradually move it away as they grow, because they spend a lot more time under it the first few days to a week especially in cold weather.
If your brooding at room temp this isn't too much of a concern.
Mine are normally moved to the coops to start integrating within a couple days after hatching.
The pics above were late October, in Michigan weather.

Wow!! I have mine at uneven levels too because I have some larger chicks. I didn’t realize that it would hold up so good in the cold, mine are locked away in a room right now because it’s pretty cold here, we don’t have Michigan weather though for sure!! Thanks so much, that’s a lot of help, I should be able to move them out faster than I thought

 

[wrathsfarm]

Wow!! I have mine at uneven levels too because I have some larger chicks. I didn’t realize that it would hold up so good in the cold, mine are locked away in a room right now because it’s pretty cold here, we don’t have Michigan weather though for sure!! Thanks so much, that’s a lot of help, I should be able to move them out faster than I thought

I've read others say they won't work under 50*, not sure if the instructions say this also, but I've had mine on in heater mode at temps close to zero with no issues.

If we consider a hen can keep chicks warm in below zero temps, this is the same scenario. The chicks jet in and out as they need heat, no matter the temp as long as it's available. My only issue with brooding in cold weather is not letting them get outside as much until they start to feather out, because they need that heat source close by.
So if I do take them outside in cold temps it's for short spurts and I monitor for huddling together (they're getting cold)

@rosemarythyme I believe broods all her chicks outside and has a lot of knowledge with this and might be able to add some helpful tips.