Heating Plates for Chick Brooders
Product Details
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 with Wire Hanger, 1 quart capacity
Item #540224 -1 qt. capacity nipple drinker sits or hangs above the litter so water is always clean. For use in poultry brooders and cages. Includes wire hanger.
$6.00 -
Brooder Kits and Panels
Disposable Cardboard 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 Plastic 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
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Geoffrey A from New Hampshire
This model was purchased to replace/supplement a smaller Brinsea that the chicks couldn't all fit under anymore. I purchased the large plate and use it for 12 chicks.
The first thing I noticed is this plate gets much hotter than the Brinsea. It also has MANY more height adjustments so it was much easier to tune to the chicks. Since some of my chicks are different sizes, I propped one side of the plate up on blocks. This allows the larger chicks more room and the smaller chicks still have the plate close to them.
I did not get the top to the plate and the larger chicks seem to prefer sleeping on top rather than under. Perhaps they get a little heat through the top as well. They are quiet and content, so whatever suits them. It does make for a lot of chick poo on the top of the plate, but it scrapes right off. If you don't allow them access to the top (using the cover), then you lose a lot of space in the brooder and perhaps a preferable sleeping spot.
I'm glad I got this. If I get more meat birds in the fall, I may pick up another. I bought this due to my heat lamp fire concern. In all, I feel it's a better plate than the Brinsea due to size, price, and heat output (I'll put the next batch in the coop instead of the house because I believe they'll have enough heat). I've had this unit for a few weeks now.
Claire R from California
I bought the small plate, which is plenty big for my four chicks. It's worked great. The only time I had unhappy chicks was when I didn't raise it soon enough. The little peepers grow so fast! Once I raised it and reminded them how cozy it was underneath, they went right back to using it. It is poopy on top, but I'll clean it when they're done with it. I love not having to constantly worry that my heat lamp is too close or too far or going to start a fire.
Jesse T from Michigan
Best investment you can make for brooding chicks. They absolutely love this design. No issues with smothering one another like with a heat lamp.
Phyllis K from Michigan
It is a great product. Wish I had known about it years ago. What a life saver for young chicks
Debbie T from California
I have 20 Heritage Turkeys using the premier 50. They are in my house in a temporary booder for the first week. It's 70 degrees on the opposite side of the plate. They run around and eat and drink then go back under to warm up.
Make sure you have it in such a way that you can look under it often until you are sure everybody is eating and drinking.
Love it, love it, love it. I will never go back to a heat lamp.
I did not buy the cover.
They like to jump up on top.
Highly recommended.
