Heating pad brooder question

[Henchickkk15]

I can't wait to use it! I am getting my chicks this Thursday. And I am wondering, did you put the heat pad on 6?

 

[azygous]

It's the change. Chickens don't do change. It's in their contract.

 

[Henchickkk15]

LOL what are you talking about? Did I miss something?

 

[Grub Digger]

It's the change. Chickens don't do change. It's in their contract.

True Facts!

 

[Rural Broody]

Henchickkk, yes I have the heating pad on 6. I just turned it down to 5 tonight because they're all huddled at the outer edge.

And wow talk about picky! Haha I need to check the fine print more closely next time azygous! Again tonight they wouldn't go in so hubby and I had to push them all in and keep pushing them back in over and over until they kinda realized it was nice in there. Now I have quiet chicks. But... How many more days will I have to do this? Is there hope that they will get it soon?

 

[azygous]

Yes, they always learn finally. And once they learn, it's then habit. That's another thing about chickens. They will adhere to habit until the cows come home.

But the real fun is still ahead. At some point, you will be teaching your chicks to go into the coop at night. I'm teaching my four six-week olds how to roost. It's their third night, and they are almost to the point where they are starting to hop up on the perch on their own. They've been going into the coop on their own for two weeks, so that was a big lesson they've learned already.

 

[welby1205]

Yep, you'll have to show them when you change their environment. Silly chickies. Mine had their first night in the coop last night, and they were screaming come nighttime, they didn't know what to do with themselves. I'll be needing to show them how to roost, but I'm also wondering if I need to put the MP in there for the next couple nights as it's going to be in the mid 50's at night, but they are almost 6 weeks, so I'm conflicted as to what to do.

 

[Siggie]

It may be too warm under there for them. What setting do you have the MHP at?

 

[azygous]

Getting the temperature right when using MHP isn't a big problem, but you do need to know that the temperature can be increased inside the cave significantly if the ambient temp is also very warm.

Before getting my most recent batch of chicks this past May, I set up the pad and frame and tested it, even though I've brooded this way twice before. What I discovered was the temp inside the cave read over 100F when I tested it on my work bench in my warm garage. When I tested the exact same set-up outside in the run where it was much cooler, the temp inside the cave was 80-85F.

So on warm days, I lowered the setting on the pad for the chicks. If it's too warm inside the cave, they are less likely to use it and benefit from it, so it's important to adjust the setting as the ambient temps warrant.

And keep in mind it's direct contact with the underside of the heating pad that makes this concept work so well. It's very important to adjust the height of the frame each week as the chicks grow so that they will fit comfortably.

 

[Henchickkk15]

Good to know. What did you test it with?