The wiper warmer I find is too warm also, do you guys crack it open to vent to keep it a certain safe temperature? Mine gets way too hot.
I have reared over 75 handfeeds of one kind or another with this simple way with equipement most already have on hand.
I simply keep them in a nest, inside a cage (protected in case you have dogs or cats) I place a lamp (with 34 to 40 watt bulb) facing the back of the nest and adjist the distance until I have the the temperture around 92 % to 98%. As the chicks grow and get feathered I move the lamp further away so the temperature gradually drops until they are acclimated to room temperature. If I need more humidity I simply place a damp wash cloth on the wire of the cage floor. This has worked great for me without ever cooking the chicks. I did have the 40 watt lightbulb burn out one night, but the chicks huddled together and stayed warm enough, plus keeping them in a nest box with plenty of cocofiber as insulation keeps them warmer. I place a paper towel over this fiber for easy clean ups.
I use a glass aquarium thermometer to monitor the temperature.
I have also kept chicks in the oven with just the oven light on for heat. If you have a tight sealing oven this works great... of course no baking while brooding
It keeps them at the perfect temperature, safe from other family pets, and if you need more humidity, just place a damp dish towel on the rack below the nest box.
I tried several heating pads over the years but had no luck being able to keep them below 100 even on the lowest settings. I am sure if I could find one that did stay cooler and didn't have one of those darn auto shut offs then I would use that over the light bulb..... What brand do you have? Maybe I will give it a try.
