Heat plate brooder or red light lamp? I always use heat plate brooders for my chicks. This is because of several reasons. Heat plates work by emitting a safe radiant heat from their underside. The chicks safely gather under the plate for warmth in the same way that they would gather under a broody mother hen. Because the heat is emitted just under the plate, the chicks can choose to locate themselves easily at a comfortable temperature, or they can take themselves out exploring knowing they have