Brinsea Ecoglow Safety 600 Chick Brooder is a very nice product. We had three Araucanas/Ameraucanas and one Buff Orpington in a brooder (Rubbermaid tote) with the 250W red heat lamp recommended by the feed store where we bought our chicks.
By the second day, however, the Buff Orpington came down with a pasty butt. We tried to save her, but she went pretty quickly. So, I added a thermometer to the box, but it was still difficult to regulate the temperature. Plus, I did not sleep well knowing that the lamp posed a serious fire risk to the chicks as well as our house. I kept my door open at night so that I could keep track of the red glow coming from the kitchen. I did not want to lose another chick!
Fast-forward a week, when we brought home two more Buff Orpingtons. We put them into the box with the others and noticed that the chicks were panting, even though the temperature at the bottom of the brooder was about 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit. I went online and found Raising Happy Chickens, where they talked about the Brinsea radiant heaters. There were none available in my local area, so I ordered one here.
I cannot describe the calm feeling I have about our little flock now. They are happy and healthy (not one sign of pasty butt in the bunch), and they seem to really love going under the heater to stay warm and safe. It is like a mother hen. And, it comes with a three-year warranty.
