2 day olds snuggling in towel on MHP—safe?

[MagistraTn]

Last night I made sure everyone knew/learned how to get under the brooder plate. They seemed to prefer it to the Mhp, which might be too low. This morning, we found several chicks nestled in between the layers of the blue & white striped towel. Is that safe, or should I change to a single layer towel on top?

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

Any time you have them get between things, there is a chance they get stuck and suffocate. I have my heating pad on a cookie cooling rack that I rigged so it is taller at the front than the back. That allows them to pick their favorite height.

I also would move them away from the corner - chicks should have “emergency exits” on all sides so no one can get trapped in the back by the others and overheat or suffocate.

 

[rosemarythyme]

x2, I would secure down the towel if you plan on continuing with that MHP. I wrap the cover of my heating pad in Glad Press N Seal so there is no way for chicks to get in between layers of soft material.

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

x2, I would secure down the towel if you plan on continuing with that MHP. I wrap the cover of my heating pad in Glad Press N Seal so there is no way for chicks to get in between layers of soft material.
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Just a note - I tried this and thought I had all the edges pressed down. Missed a teeeeeny edge and a chick got glued to the press n seal. She was fine, caught it in time and was able to get her off with only 1 teeny floof pulled out, but just be careful.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Just a note - I tried this and thought I had all the edges pressed down. Missed a teeeeeny edge and a chick got glued to the press n seal. She was fine, caught it in time and was able to get her off with only 1 teeny floof pulled out, but just be careful.

Yikes! I try to check it regularly when I have chicks out there. Haven't had an issue but I know how easily chicks can find ways to get themselves stuck on something, wedged in something, etc.

Other option is I've seen people use bungee cords to secure down their MHP covers, but unlikely as it would be I'm sure a chick could find a way to get stuck under a cord somehow.

 

[TheRusticRebel]

Just a note - I tried this and thought I had all the edges pressed down. Missed a teeeeeny edge and a chick got glued to the press n seal. She was fine, caught it in time and was able to get her off with only 1 teeny floof pulled out, but just be careful.

This happened to me too. After that i decided to not use press and seal but after a day of the mess being harder to clean i iust did a better job with the press and seal