The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: PaulJill on July 30, 2017, 12:14:31 pm

Title: Infe red or low wattage brooder plate.
Post by: PaulJill on July 30, 2017, 12:14:31 pm

 We are going to raise table birds from chicks, every thing is coming together. However we are undecided as to what heat source would be best. There is the traditional infa red lamp or the more modern low wattage height adjustable brooder plate. The brooder plate sounds good by means of being low cost to run and a bit safer to use (fire wise). Can anyone point us in the right direction, has anyone used them both and has a favourite. All advise will be gratefully received. Thank you all for your time, Paul & Jill.   

Title: Re: Infe red or low wattage brooder plate.
Post by: Penninehillbilly on July 30, 2017, 12:45:45 pm

I bought a system with a heatlight on a sensor, but watching them in a darkened room, the light would glow, they would get up and go to the feed, light would go off. That's when I switched to the plate type.

Title: Re: Infe red or low wattage brooder plate.
Post by: Charlie1234 on July 30, 2017, 04:48:18 pm

used heatlamps for many years with great success,purchased an electric hen heat plate + would not go back now.
So much easier,safer + much much cheaper to run. I have 3 now.. a 15w for upto 20 chicks,25w for upto 30 chicks and a 60w for upto 60 chicks.
Yes you may have to lift the plate to check the chicks from time to time but that is hardly a hardship is it ? They are lightweight. + once the chicks get a bit stronger they can use it as a climbing frame/play thing to keep them occupied.

Title: Re: Infe red or low wattage brooder plate.
Post by: Womble on July 30, 2017, 06:06:59 pm

Yes, brooder plate for me every time. It will cost a little bit more initially, but will soon pay for itself out of the electricity savings  :thumbsup: .

Title: Re: Infe red or low wattage brooder plate.
Post by: PaulJill on July 30, 2017, 10:09:19 pm

Thank you all, great advise, leaves me in no doubt what will be best for us and more importantly our chicks. Happy hens Paul & Jill.

Title: Re: Infe red or low wattage brooder plate.
Post by: Penninehillbilly on July 31, 2017, 02:22:27 am

Quote from: Charlie1234 on July 30, 2017, 04:48:18 pm

Yes you may have to lift the plate to check the chicks from time to time but that is hardly a hardship is it ? They are lightweight. + once the chicks get a bit stronger they can use it as a climbing frame/play thing to keep them occupied.

I found a small mirror, angled it so I could look underneath.

Title: Re: Infe red or low wattage brooder plate.
Post by: Marches Farmer on July 31, 2017, 07:34:12 pm

I hatch 24 to 72 at a time and a large brooder plate is a pain to lift at regular intervals.  It also gets covered in muck as the chicks start exploring