Electric hen recommendations please

[jessmorris]

Hello chook keepers,
can folk recommend a reliable, easy to clean and easy to assemble electric hen please? For 6-8 bantam chicks.
Many thanks,
C

[Nicos]

Sorry- don't know anything about them....
but- I did find a wind up one!

[veggiechicken]

My thoughts eggsactly ^^^^^

[RichmondHens]

I have two, both of the same type, just different sizes. They are the flat black plate type with metal rod legs that can be adjusted as the chicks grow. They look rather spindly but actually do a great job. I have raised both chicks and goslings underneath with no problems. Can;t remember what make they are but if you google electric hens the same image pops up on several different sites. I put mine in a cardboard box (to keep out draughts) when the babies are tiny and then transfer to a cage after about a week. I don't use them very much as prefer hens but they do the job ok. The only downside is that chicks once strong enough do have a tendency to jump on top of them and poop there, thus filling the room with a lovely smell of warm poo!! It's worth having a handy pack of baby wipes nearby to keep wiping the top down.

Hope this helps.

[jessmorris]

Thanks RH. I too prefer to use a (living) hen!

[Nicos]

Pop over here- I have a broody!!!

[Piggle]

this is the most bizarre thing I have heard of in a long time but it did take my mind off what is going to be a terrible day tomorrow so for that I thank you!

[scorpius]

I use electric hens, same as RH, check out P&T Poultry & Regency poultry as they seem to be the cheapest around. I have 2, ones 20x20cm & the other 30x30cm electric hen.

Cant beat a broody though, have 3 - 1 with a silkie chick, 1 due to hatch next week & 1 thinking about it! & goodness knows how many other of the little beggars will be broody soon, plus loads of eggs in incy

[chris]

meh. and here I was actually picturing a chicken shaped "thing" covered in feathers - that had a cord out of it's backside - which got warm when plugged in.

[RichmondHens]

Ha ha, no it doesn't look like a chicken (strange really that it should be called an electric hen) but maybe there is a gap in the market for one which does look a bit more realistic. They are supposed to be better than conventional heat lamps for a number of reasons:

1. they don't use a bulb so no artificial light emitted, the chicks wake and sleep with normal daylight hours which is better for them
2. no risk of a bulb shattering and thus raining glass down on chicks
3. less risk of overheating - the EH gives off much less heat than a conventional lamp and the chicks have to snuggle underneath to get warm, just like a real hen.
4. supposed to use less electricity than conventional lamps

I would still rather use a real hen but they are very handy to have as a back up.

[jessmorris]

..also the chicks don't get whatever vitamin deficiency it is that causes bent toes....which you can get with a lamp..

[jessmorris]

..and recommendations for a reliable hygrometer. The one I have is registering 17% humidity and 38.4 degrees C. The incubator says its 37.5 degrees C. How do I know which is correct? I've got one for reptiles and it was £14.99 from Amazon. Sigh. I wish one of my hens would get broody, its sooooo much easier!