Not only is it easy to cover that MHP to keep it nice and clean, but, the Sunbeam Xpress pad can be machine washed. I'm glad there are many different brooding options, What works for 3RC will not work for me. And what works for me, will not work for her.
OK, it took a lot of digging, but, I found the thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1160818/30-coop-heater-chromalox-screw-base-unit
These things are expensive, but the thread starter says they can be found at a very reasonable price if you are patient, and know where to look. This...
I don't know what they are called, but a guy had a post on here just a couple of days ago. It was a metal screw in heat emitter. It screws into a standard ceramic socket (don't use plastic) and are rated for x watts. But, they do not put out any light, only heat, and b/c only heat, they put...
You could easily make it with a pulley system so you could lift it up to view the chicks, or even put a mirror down so you could view underneath. I like the mirror idea, b/c you could move it all the way around to view from all sides. As for the viewing window or latched door, that would...