@daxigait - The gnomes are back, and now they are hiding all of my bungee cords, so I can't make those new MHP tonight (I will tear the place apart tomorrow for the bungees, or buy more - which would, of course, lead to them being found immediately). So I took apart the smaller MHP I had set up for the newly hatched 5 chicks in my last hatch - I needed to take it apart anyway to tidy up. I took photos, and will now post them in reverse order (so it looks like I'm putting it together). I will talk through this with more detail than you perhaps may need, in case someone else wants to try it. (I have had great success with it, and have quiet, calm chicks that get to sleep in the dark at night under their cozy "mama"). First, you need to have the right heating pad of course - one WITHOUT automatic shut off. It can be difficult to figure out the features when shopping for a heating pad, and on the MHP thread, folks actually have resorted to going by specific product numbers just to be sure. If you are not sure, build it ahead of time and monitor it to ensure it heats well and stays on (and that it will come back on if the power goes out). Here are the two I like and recommend - the cheapest. One is king size, the other is standard size - I double this up to make a BIG MHP that lasts until they don't need so much heat. https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-732-500-King-Heating-UltraHeatTechnology/dp/B000FGDDI0/ref=pd_sim_121_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000FGDDI0&pd_rd_r=FQ92M6MAV3Z9N3V8GW8B&pd_rd_w=FDOwK&pd_rd_wg=ziJW9&psc=1&refRID=FQ92M6MAV3Z9N3V8GW8Bhttps://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-731-500-Heating-UltraHeat-Technology/dp/B00075M1T6/ref=pd_bxgy_121_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00075M1T6&pd_rd_r=WN94K7FDSNQYT8J6GTXP&pd_rd_w=nPEzQ&pd_rd_wg=gdNO2&refRID=WN94K7FDSNQYT8J6GTXP&th=1 Now, to build the frame. You can use whatever you have, but I have found welded wire works best. Hardware cloth is not strong/stiff enough and could collapse not he chicks. Cut welded wire fencing (or other quite stiff but bendable material) to the approximate size of the heating pad you will be using - it doesn't have to be exact, just as close as you can. Then you will need to cover up the sharp bits left from where you cut - on this one pictured, I used multiple layers of duct tape. I have since found that poly tubing slit down the side (I had some lying around) works better. DON'T use regular garden hose - there's "stuff" in the regular hoses that will outgas - I learned this when I started heating it up and could smell it. (Suspect this could hurt the chicks.) Next, bungee the heating pad to the underside of the frame, with writing side down. Use as many bungees as you need (and the size you need) to keep it from sagging. Then, cover the whole thing in a pillowcase or other similar enclosed cover that you improvise. This is important, as chicks like to wiggle around under there, and if you do not cover it, they can get trapped in the frame. (Folks have lost chicks due to this.) Early on I used extra old grungy pillowcases I had around. When I needed to actually get another pillowcase (after ripping the old ones), I went for a zippered pillow cover - it has been MUCH easier to keep closed and clean. Now you need to snug the pillowcase up so that it doesn't sag into the cave. I do this by pulling the extra material to one edge, folding it over, and then using clamps to hold in place. [COLOR=B42000][/COLOR] Finally, cover it. I use cloth diapers (the thick Gerber ones) because they are soft and are meant to be pooped on and washed and bleached (you could also use old towels, which would also work great). When the chicks get older they will perch on top (like they do on Momma's back), and poop on it. Switch them out as needed. For the larger ones I make (which are tall enough for the older chicks to use), once the chicks start getting super messy, I use some of those washable puppy poop pads I had lying around - that works well. [COLOR=B42000][/COLOR] When setting up in the brooder, put it at one end, but make sure there's a little space at the back as well so that they can find their way out if they get too warm. When first hatched, I put the water quite close to the entrance to the MHP - they pop out, drink, and pop back under. I also put crumbles on the paper towels right by the entrance, and will trail them to the feeder so they eventually find there way there. They will spend a LOT of time under there at first, then will start wandering, popping back under if they need a warm up. I hope that helps!!! - Ant Farm
That is great thanks. I hope @casportpony and @aart found this. I have the big blue one, and a big green one from Amazon to make two. I need bungies though. I was thinking zip ties for some reason.
Quote:
This one is quite small - I keep it around but never use it unless there are just a handful of chicks, and even then, only when they're really little. You'll find you may need more room as they get older, and may find yourself building them a new one at, say 2 weeks old.
Make sure to test your heating pads if you're not sure. Almost all heating pads sold now have safety features such that they automatically shut off, or they stay off after a power outage. Mercifully, it's the cheapest ones that are best.
Yeah, bungees are what's needed here. Someone tried to zip tie the cover to the frame, I think, and it was a big pain. I would think it would be potentially messier, too. But in the end, this is something you can improvise on based on what you have on hand if you need to. (I just found bungees are easier and I didn't have to battle sagging.)
When the gnomes return my bungees, I'll photo my bigger one when I make it (or I'll get a photo of one int eh brooder - poop and all).
She was alive and walking around eating this morning and at lunch, I went out there to go give her, her pain meds and her feed, and she was gone.
I'm really pretty sure she had cancer. the unusual lumps on her sides, the weight loss, the pain levels she had.... At least she's not suffering anymore.
I was just about to leave for church this night, when I noticed the bulb on the quail had blown. I reluctantly put the MHP in their brooder, which I had not done in the first place due to their fragility and stupidity, and planned to find a bulb and switch them back over ASAP.
I got home and went to check on them, and when I went to pick the pad up, I accidentally pinched the neck of a chick burrowed up against the side with the frame. It can't hold its head up right and keeps shaking its head...
Help??
After finding a 75w white light bulb to tide them over until tomorrow, I made the injured one a nest it can lean on to stay upright. The only reason I didn't just snap its neck is it could still stand and did not appear distressed.
I feel awful! I just dropped one of my eggs in lockdown!!!
It only bled a tiny weeny bit but i think i have killed it. It hasn't even internally pipped yet!!! And the other chick is shrink wrapped so i am assisting that
I thought everyone might like an update on Premie, the little silkie She is such a lovable little thing and spent most of the morning being held and cuddled. She absolutely couldn't stand being alone in the brooder so I took a chance and carefully supervised her in with the week old poults. They really tower above her but she absolutely loves them! Now that the poults have figured out that she's not some dangerous little beast, they love her too lol
not sure why a couple uploaded sideways :/ oh well
Quote: A local gave me a redwood unit years ago. Unfortunately, while I was trying to locate parts, he decided he wanted it back.
Stinks he took it back. I hope you are doing well.
Quote: Put titanium around it's neck and name it Sally? (Sorry that was insensitive). If the neck is positioned correctly it could be ok, Babies have soft flexible bones.
I'm not reading 1,000 posts. I did read the last few.
@Fire Ant Farm I saw a pad that goes under or on the side of a glass tank for reptiles. I see that you do the cave. I am wondering if you know about the pad? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018VQ71JC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apis_1487243824361
Good morning. No being loud today. I can't take it. I hope all has been well the last few days. Lots of littles born, and doing well. Isn't Sally being dissected today? How is HarmonyAnn?
Good morning. I am upright. I hope to be able to deal with whatever this day brings. I know I have to go down to the breeding pen. They are very low if not out of feed by now. I did check last evening when I went to collect eggs, and give fresh water.
The world is still spinning. I hope re-introducing coffee takes care of that.
Quote:
I'd rather have skunks living under my house.
(Oh, wait, I DO have skunks living under my house.
)
Citrus peels and add BRIGHT LIGHT!! Skunks HATE LIGHT! cayenne pepper spray..... yellow onion chopped, and some jalepeño peppers. Mix these with a TBL of cayenne pepper,1/2 gal water boil 20 minutes strain put in a spray bottle.
Thanks!!! I'm assuming the citrus is for inside and the onions and jalapeños are for outside?
Quote:
Yeah, I'm with you there. I used to love cats, but now that I have chickens, I really, ummmm.... DON'T. At least the ones loitering in my yard all the time.
Woke up to external pips in a couple of the eggs! Day 19, now. But no sound or movement. One of the pips is right at the high point of the air cell, but the other is not even close.
Gotta agree there - WITH A CAVEAT: You MUST calibrate it. The temperature may be off (even if you get it brand new). But that is the case for ANY incubator (no matter the price). Once calibrated, though, it's rock steady.
Next, bungee the heating pad to the underside of the frame, with writing side down. Use as many bungees as you need (and the size you need) to keep it from sagging.
At least she's not suffering anymore.
She is such a lovable little thing and spent most of the morning being held and cuddled. She absolutely couldn't stand being alone in the brooder so I took a chance and carefully supervised her in with the week old poults. They really tower above her but she absolutely loves them! Now that the poults have figured out that she's not some dangerous little beast, they love her too lol
