Heating Plates for Chick Brooders
An alternative to a heat lamp. Less of a fire risk. A heating plate simulates a hen keeping chicks warm and cozy beneath her feathers.
Heating Plate & Cover Dimensions (both sold separately):
- Extra Small: 10" x 10"
- Small: 12" x 12"
- Medium: 16" x 16"
- Large: 16" x 24"
Instructions/Diagrams:
Instruction Manual 
Common Uses
Specs
| Extra Small | Small | Medium | Large | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plate Item # | 540207 | 540203 | 540241 | 540204 |
| Cover Item # | 5402078 | 540205 | 540242 | 540206 |
| Capacity | Up to 15 chicks | Up to 20 chicks | Up to 30 chicks | Up to 50 chicks |
| Plate & Cover | 10" x 10" | 12" x 12" | 16" x 16" | 16" x 24" |
| Cover Height | 3.5" | 5" | 7" | 7" | Watts | 15 watts/hr | 22 watts/hr | 42 watts/hr | 66 watts/hr |
| Legs | 9.5"L | 9.5"L | 9.5"L | 9.5"L |
Height of all sizes adjusts from 1.5" to 6" by adjusting the yellow legs. ABS plastic. Cord: 70"L
Use a Heating Plate Temperature Controller which allows control of Premier's Heating Plates output between 20% - 100% of full output.
Benefits
Heating plate advantages over a heat lamp:
- Uses much less electricity. Only 15 watts (66 for the larger plate) vs 175 or 250 watts for a heat lamp.
- Less risk of fire because of the much lower surface temperature (only 125°).
- Field observation: Birds raised under plates appear more calm than those raised under lamps.
The rugged plate cover (optional and sold above) prevents older chicks from perching on top and fouling the unit with droppings. However, the plate can be hand-washed (do not submerge in water) to remove dust and debris.
How to Use
Worried that the plate feels hot to the touch? It isn't. If chicks get too warm, they can and do move out from under it for a time. Don't overcrowd—chicks need to have space to move around as they like.
When the heating plate is plugged directly into the outlet, the red light comes on and stays on.
When it is plugged into the Heating Plate Temperature Controller, it will blink based on the min/max adjustment. Slow blink toward minimum and quicker toward max. If you turn it all the way up, it will come on full time.
Precautions
Warranty
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Heating Plates and Covers
Heating Plate Temperature Control
Item #540229 -Manually control the heat output of Premier's heating plates for poultry
$14.00 -
Waterers and Accessories
Chick Nipple Drinker, 0.26 gal capacity
Item #540224 -To keep water clean and fresh. Nipple drinker sits or hangs above the litter so water is always clean.
$6.00 -
Brooder Kits and Panels
Disposable Brooder Panel, each
Item #530150 -Build a safe, secure chick brooder using modular brooder panels. Quick to assemble with disposable and reusable options.
$2.10 -
Brooder Kits and Panels
Reusable Brooder Panel, each
Item #530155 -Build a safe, secure chick brooder using modular brooder panels. Quick to assemble with disposable and reusable options.
$4.64
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Heating Plates and Covers
Replacement Leg for Heating Plates, each
Item #5402032 -A safer alternative to a heat lamp. A heating plate, or hover heater, simulates a hen keeping chicks warm and cozy beneath her feathers.
$3.80
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Patricia M from Wisconsin
I initially started out with a 125W red heat lamp. Chicks seemed to do well, but I felt that 24/7 light cannot be a good thing — unnatural. Received the heat plate by the time my chicks were a week old. They are absolutely quiet at night and wake with the onset of natural daylight. It has been a long time since I have had chicks, but they seem to feathering out very quickly and are active and content. I do feel this is an improvement over a heat lamp in function and electricity consumption. My 16 chicks barely fit under there all at once even though the small is recommended for 20 chicks. The cover does keep them off the top and I am glad I got it as well.
Kurt C from Missouri
Never used one of these plate brooders before. Worked out great so far!
Stefani W from New York
Electric hens are great! I've used my first one for years now and decided to get an extra one so I can raise more chicks at once. These work really well for broiler chicks because there is no light. The chicks do not stay up all night stuffing themselves sick. They sleep. Like chickens are supposed to do overnight! And when they wake up at dawn they can go get their breakfast without waiting for me. Happy chicks and happy chicken farmer. I have enjoyed several years of 100% live chicks to turnout on grass useing these plates!
The cover seems like an unnecessary expense — until you have to clean the top of the electric hen! Just bit the bullet and get a cover if you can swing the cost. They are very sturdy and will last for the duration. At the very least fabricate SOMETHING to keep chicks off the top of your plate!
Danny D from Mississippi
Great product. Simple, functional and durable. No constant adjustments and checking temperatures that I had to do with the big red lights. 15W vs 200W power consumption rate makes it a no brainer.
Wallace I from California
Love it!
