2 week chicks fluffed up, not using MHP

[BigMoma3]

Hi fellow chicken keepers! I have eighteen 2 week old chicks and am using the Mama Heating Pad for the first time. I've been so nervous the whole time. It took 1 whole week to get the chicks to use it at night time. I would go out every night and they would be sleeping in a pile away from the MHP so i would put them under it. Finally they started using it on their own at night.

Now, even though they are popping in and out of it (temps are down in 20's and 30's this week) I keep finding them just standing around with feathers fluffed out like grown chickens do to keep themselves warm. They are not huddled together and some are in the MHP and some are on top while others are just in other parts of the brooder. I'm so worried they are not staying warm enough. If they are cold enough to fluff out their feathers why aren't they going under the heat pad to warm up instead?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Photos of your set up? Do they fit comfortably underneath it, since they're bigger now?

They obviously should know where it is at this point, as they're going in and out from under it, so as long as they're still using it at some point (like at night) I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[BigMoma3]

Photos of your set up? Do they fit comfortably underneath it, since they're bigger now?

They obviously should know where it is at this point, as they're going in and out from under it, so as long as they're still using it at some point (like at night) I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[BigMoma3]

Photos of your set up? Do they fit comfortably underneath it, since they're bigger now?

They obviously should know where it is at this point, as they're going in and out from under it, so as long as they're still using it at some point (like at night) I wouldn't worry too much about it.

The photos make it look way smaller than it looks to me, but their "cave" is about 12 inches by 20 inches and about 4 inches tall right now. They seem to fit under it well. They are staying under it more this morning as temps are well below freezing. Do you think what I thought was them fluffling up to stay warm could actually be them simply feathering out sooner and looking as though they are fluffed out?

Also, as a side note, they will be moving to a new bigger area next week as they are outgrowing this brooder very quickly!

 

[rosemarythyme]

They look like they're feathering in nicely, which is great. They might've been getting chilly while running around in colder temps but even with chicks this young, I've noticed they'd prefer to stay out and play (just like kids!), and then dive in for heat only when they want to rest or nap.

If they're all active and eating/drinking well, and not crying in distress, I would leave it up to them to decide how much heat they want and when.

 

[BigMoma3]

They look like they're feathering in nicely, which is great. They might've been getting chilly while running around in colder temps but even with chicks this young, I've noticed they'd prefer to stay out and play (just like kids!), and then dive in for heat only when they want to rest or nap.

If they're all active and eating/drinking well, and not crying in distress, I would leave it up to them to decide how much heat they want and when.

Thank you so much! You eased my nerves. They are doing great now