Raina Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Just wondering if anyone has used one of these? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELECTRIC-HEN-BROODER-HEAT-LAMP-HATCHING-EGGS-CHICKS_W0QQitemZ300336935745QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry?hash=item45ed79f341 If you have would you recommend them? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I haven't but I know Griffin does, she'll be on here soon probably Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 Thanks Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I made one from a heat mat I will let you know if it works if my chicks hatch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 I made one from a heat mat I will let you know if it works if my chicks hatch! Thanks & Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I have one which I used last year for two chicks (long story). In my experience, they're better than heat lamps and are cheaper to run too. They appeal to the natural instinct of the chick to huddle under something and it means they're not in 24 hrs of light (which can lead to pecking problems). They're easy enough to use too, you just adjust the legs to raise the height. Be warned though, they do jump on top to play king of the castle (and s"Ooops, word censored!"ing off dried on droppings is fun) I got mine from Regency Poultry too, the smallest version as I only use it in emergencies. Broodies are the best brooders of all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I haven't but I know Griffin does, she'll be on here soon probably How did you know? Yes I've got one, it's brilliant, especially for very young chicks. I've found once they get to about two weeks or so it doesn't matter what height the legs are, they're happier warming their bum on top of it and instead of snuggling underneath. I wish they'd change the design though to make it easier to change the height of the legs, it's difficult, time consuming and I've yet to find a way to do it without getting covered in poo! Mine is currently in use in my garage with my Polands sleeping on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 hehe, looks like i'll get one of these then. just read on the listing that it can hold upto 40 chicks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 hehe, looks like i'll get one of these then. just read on the listing that it can hold upto 40 chicks Maybe if they're 1cm x 1cm chicks They had a couple at the farm but always used a heat lamp - manily so that the children could watch the chicks I think I only saw it used a couple of times so can't really comment! :lol; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 It is misleading because you might fit 40 day newborns under it but they soon grow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 i doubt my mum would let me hatch 40 eggs lol (my incubator holds 41 with the auto turner) She said i can hatch a max of 12 (i know someone that would take all the males and my cousin said he'd take a couple of females ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 A heat lamp fitted with a dull emitter bulb is also a good idea The bulb provides heat and not light, cheaper than the electric hen to buy but more expensive to run (not as expensive as a red bulb though) Dont you still have something from when you hatched MJ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 Dont you still have something from when you hatched MJ? Yep i do, but most of it's in storage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I have one of these. I agree with Griffins assessment. The legs are a faff to alter, but apart from that, excellent value for money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted January 17, 2010 Share Posted January 17, 2010 At the moment I have 13 chicks 2 weeks old under the same electric hen in 40cm x 40cm, they have been under it since they were 48 hours old, all survived “so far” I made a “mini green house” and put it outdoors, and the chicks love it. I thought the freezing cold will not allow me to do this, but when I put them under it they seemed happy even when the temperature outside is -7 , there was no “distress cheeping”. I lost 5 chicks under a broody hen, “she decided to go broody in December”. The funny thing is the chicks under the broody hen “when they were 4 weeks old” went to the electric hen and lift their poor mother waiting for them all day outside the mini green house. “The entrance wasn’t big enough for a grown hen” I felt sorry for her The legs are bit wobbly, but it won’t fall. And if you don’t tighten them with a spanner it is not difficult to adjust the height. Actually I found the legs useful in a way that I adjust one side is higher than the other, so the chicks can choose what height they like, I presume not all of them will prefer the same height . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted January 17, 2010 Author Share Posted January 17, 2010 At the moment I have 13 chicks 2 weeks old under the same electric hen in 40cm x 40cm, they have been under it since they were 48 hours old, all survived “so far”I made a “mini green house” and put it outdoors, and the chicks love it. I thought the freezing cold will not allow me to do this, but when I put them under it they seemed happy even when the temperature outside is -7 , there was no “distress cheeping”. I lost 5 chicks under a broody hen, “she decided to go broody in December”. The funny thing is the chicks under the broody hen “when they were 4 weeks old” went to the electric hen and lift their poor mother waiting for them all day outside the mini green house. “The entrance wasn’t big enough for a grown hen” I felt sorry for her The legs are bit wobbly, but it won’t fall. And if you don’t tighten them with a spanner it is not difficult to adjust the height. Actually I found the legs useful in a way that I adjust one side is higher than the other, so the chicks can choose what height they like, I presume not all of them will prefer the same height . Thanks Mars & Welcome to the Forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
