suggestions for electric hen purchase?

[incognito]

Hi
I have just set a dozen eggs in my new brinsea eco 20 and after hatching would like to know how long will the chicks need to be kept under an electric hen heater
(that I am about to purchase) and has any one purchased one and which one would you reccomend ?if any?
Many thanks in advance.

 

[watson]

Ideally they should have heat for the first 6 weeks untilled they have most of their feathers. I can't advise on a electric hen as we used heat lamps but others on here use electric hens so will be able to advise you better.

Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Poultry Keeper Forum

 

[valeriebutterley]

As a brand new owner/user of Brinsea electric hens I say go for it!
Mine is being used currently for 2 newly hatched Pekins,who seem very happy with their situation!
Human mum is delighted, too, as it is only 18watts to run. It does not appear to be very hot, but the chicks hardly leave it, appearing from under it to drink, eat, squawk and tumble!

 

[chrismahon]

Ours is called a 'Comfort heating plate'. It is a large unit being 40 x 60 cms at 68 watts. Initially it was too big for the boxes we had available. all the chicks went under it and we couldn't see them. But as the chicks got bigger so did the boxes and it got effectively smaller until the legs couldn't be raised any further and they couldn't all fit under it. The smart ones then perched on the top to warm their feet. We had 16 chicks. I think you really need two. A small unit for 1-2 weeks then a larger one to 6 weeks.

 

[foxy]

I use these for my chicks..

http://www.regencypoultry.com/heat_lamps/electric_hen_standard.htm

I find they work very well. I place the chicks underneath once they are dry and fluffed up from the incubator usually at around 12 - 24 hours after hatch. They spend the first 24 hours staying mainly under the electric hen. After 24 hours or so underneath the electric hen they start eating and drinking and generally becoming more active at this stage only going underneath to rest or sleep. A good tip is to raise the front legs so the back legs are lower, this allows the chicks to find their own comfort zone with regard to warmth.

Chicks need heat this time of year, and inside a house would require heat for around 5 to 6 weeks depending on breed and how they are developing and feathering. What you may find and this is a good guide, is when the start sleeping as a group outside the electric hen that is a good time to remove the heat, a smaller group however may need a bit longer.

Obviously even at 6 weeks it would be too cold to leave them outside this time of year, mine are transferred early with heat to an outside shed at 2 weeks old and stay there until put out in large aviary type kennels with runs attached.

 

[incognito]

Hi
thanks for all the helpfull replies I will purchase a brinsea electric hen directly.
cheers INCOGNITO