[hillfooter]

OOOh you've got such a way with words HF!  Couldn't have put it better myself, except that I start the brooder temperature at 35.5degees C as recommended to me by the Hatchery, and reduce it by around 2C every week for 4 weeks.

35.5degC  is fine if you have a broad area radiator but I like to be sure there's a reasonable area under a lamp, which is more of a point radiator, where they will be warm enough not just in the point directly below it.  In truth it isn't so important and will vary quite a bit with ambient temp so if you brood in an unheated outhouse it's preferable to have it slightly on the warm side as they can always move away but the reverse isn't possible.
HF

[penninehillbilly]

I think the heater board I use is called a mother hen, it has 4 metal threaded legs, which the board can be moved up by moving the nuts up as the chicks grow, I used a large plastic (about 20" x 30?)box which gives room at one end for the food and water to be just outside the heat, instead of shavings I use spongy type exercise mat, cut to size and use 2 alternate, they wash off easily and regulary, until they are on shavings. If it's cold I can partialy cover the box with a board. as they get a bit older I put a timer on, gradually increasing the off periods.
I bought a complete brooder set up with a lamp on a thermostat or timer, I was watching them one night, when the light came on they all jumped up and went to eat, the light went out leaving them in the dark, this happened repeatedly, thats why I prefer a heater board (Mother hen?).
I also used to used hardboard in a set up like HF's, but I had a poorly duck in and something (stoat, rat?) got in and killed it, never dared use it since.