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.
$5.70
-
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
Write a Review
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Caleigh L from California
This heater plate is 100x better than a brooder lamp. It’s a bit of an initial investment but will last conceivably a long time. I love that my brooder isn’t a constant source of stress being a fire hazard, and the chicks actually sleep because there isn’t a light on 24/7. They knew how to use it right away. Getting the height adjustment right was a little confusing at first but now I’ve got it. It should be about neck level for them so they have to duck. Overall I would definitely recommend this product!
Laura L from Ohio
This is going to be a bit of an oddball review. I’m giving the product five stars even though I haven’t even opened the package. Here’s what happened:
I have a buff orpington hen who went broody last year and raised six chicks for me. This is the absolute best way to raise hatchlings. Irene did all the work, kept the babies the right temperature, showed them the ropes about foraging, and provided natural comfort. I hoped she would do the same this year. I waited for her to go broody. And waited. And waited. I finally gave up, placed my order for the heating plate, and the next day Irene went broody! I had to laugh.
So, what to do with the brooder plate? I decided to keep it as backup. Here’s where my five star review comes in for a product I haven’t used yet. I’ve been a Premier 1 customer for many years, primarily fencing supplies. ALL of the products I’ve used have been top notch. They’re effective, durable, user and livestock friendly. I will never go back to feed store fencing products. Premier 1’s are way more durable, and the rope links are the best invention since the wheel. I also have the heated chicken waterer and it is the best. They thought of everything in designing it. There’s no way to improve it. I have full confidence that the heating plate is of the same caliber as all their other products. Buy with confidence. Use with pleasure.
Jordan H from Illinois
The cover works perfectly to keep chicks off the heat plate. I thought I would get by without one, but the chicks were sitting on the heat plate and making a real mess of it everyday. Worth the money in my opinion, to keep the heat plate clean and mess free.
Dean O from Ontario, Canada
This is my third heating plate. I think they are fantastic. I never used a heat lamp, and started right with these. Chicks seem to love them and come and go underneath as they please for heat. They use much less electricity than a heat lamp (66W for the large plate, vs 250W for a lamp), which is always a good thing, and the chicks aren’t constantly bathed in light. (Surely that can’t be good??) Well built and will hopefully last years!
I have ordered covers on all 3 of my heating plates. They are nice, good quality plastic. The holes for the legs on my last two seem to catch the ribs on the legs when I am adjusting, so they do need to be widened a little. I’ve just been taking the cover off while adjusting. Other than that, a great product. Definitely make cleanup easier, and will hopefully help the brooder plates last much longer.
Priscilla R from South Carolina
This exceeds my expectations! I chose this heat plate because I wanted something safe and easy to use without worrying about fires and heat lamps falling over. So far, it has been absolutely perfect! I had 12 chicks hatch recently, and they seem to love it and be quite comfortable. It is easy to adjust as well, as the chicks keep growing and need different height requirements. I’ll be getting more if I decide to grow my chick hatching business. (I definitely recommend getting the covering as well, because the chicks will do their business all over it if you don’t. Even with the covering, they’re still trying to jump on top, but thankfully, they can’t stay there.) :)
