So just how low to set brooder plate for day old BR chicks?

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Last year when I started my chicken adventure I went with 6 RIR chicks and a red heat lamp. The chicks were fine but my electric bill zoomed sky high. This time I am getting 4 BR's on Wednesday. I purchased a brooder plate from "Rent a Coop." I understand the chicks will huddle under it as if it were the warm mama. But all chicks are not the same size, or are they? Moving them into their new home will be stressful enough so I wanted have the brooder plate warm and low enough (but not too low) when I got them home. So, what height should I start at? Thanks for your help with this.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If they are indoors, I put it where they can walk under with little effort.
If they are in a cold space, I put it a tad lower.

 

[christwodog]

I put mine at a slant - the lowest setting on one side and a couple notches higher on the other, that way they could choose what was more comfortable for them. Then just raise it as they grow but I always kept it slanted.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I think I worded my question wrong: just how tall is a two day old BR chick?

 

[imnukensc]

They're backs are about 3 inches give or take. Just set your plate height when you get them. Turn it on an hour or two ahead of time to let it warm up.

 

[aart]

Set it a bit lower in the back than the front....
...then, as always with chickens, observation and adjustment.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Thank you all for your responses. I'm picking them up tomorrow. Will take pictures and post. I opted for a rabbit cage as a brooder this time. Easy to setup, clean and folds up for easy storage. This one is just for indoor in my sunroom. I'm building a more permanent brooder inside the coop so they can hang out with my older chickens.