Heating pad brooder

[Erinnlyn]

Oh fun! It'll be so nice for you in September to not have to worry about super cold temps. I really need to start summer or fall chicks! I've just never believed that greater than *85 was a good idea. There are many people who firmly believe in this old school guide but I'm not one of them. I've raised around 100 chicks in 70's ambient/80's under Heating Pad. I've seen the chicks in the feed store under red hot lights and they are lethargic and not thriving. Some people swear by hot and less hot "zones," but the only reason I can think of that they do this is just the fear that chicks really do need 90's The batch of chicks in my post, I discovered sleeping outside of the cave one morning and indeed the temp. under the cave was *92 and they did not want that. I just don't need to put it to the test anymore, lower = better health for chicks and easier transition to the real world. Hope you post pics of your little's!!! Nothing cuter than chicks! Well except puppies, lol.

Yes, so glad we decided to get a rooster a few weeks ago! We really only got him to help watch our ladies, but he's so charismatic we decided to incubate and wanted to get it done well before cold temperatures arrived. I'm loving the idea of the heating platform or cave so much better than the heat lamp! I'm going to test it out this weekend!! I think I'm just as eggcited as my kids! I hope hatch goes well. I'm am crazy nervous about that.
Thanks for the info. I am taking notes!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm going to test it out this weekend!!

Yup, good idea. Set it up, and leave it on for at least 24 hours so you can diagnose any issues in advance.

 

[Gladen farm]

Hi, I am new here and just got bak into reising chicks after many years awy from it. I plan to use a heating pad 'cave" ot keep my chicks warm. Can some one makd a recomendation as to what hight the pad should be to start new chicks? Thanks.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Make sure the heating pad does NOT have an auto shut off. I first learned of MHP from a posting @Blooie post ... You may want to check it out; search MHP but Blooie, very interesting & simple. Works greatl

I use a wire frame of welded wire about 3" - 4" in height.
Wrap the heating pad in flannel, or towel. Securing with tiny bungee cords.
I do put potty pad on the top cause in a couple weeks, they'll be on top.
With the wire frame you will be able to raise the height when needed.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can some one makd a recomendation as to what hight the pad should be to start new chicks? Thanks.

Admittedly I've never measured it... It needs to be low enough that chicks can stand or lie under it, and still make contact. For that reason either tilting it so one side is higher, or curving it, makes a big difference.

If you're not exactly sure, you can also add extra bedding under the pad location to "raise" the floor a little.

I make mine out of a plate rack, wire mesh, cardboard, press n seal wrap (note that I curve mine to be like a hen's belly... works for me because I only raise 3-4 chicks at a time, I would not recommend setting up like mine for more than that):

 

[aynesidea]

The heating pad I use is a SunBeam 732-500 (12x24) there's also the 731-500 (12x15)
I researched it, if I understand correctly its 50watt, no shut off and 3 settings; L /90. M/95. H/100. I use a wire frame increasing the height as they need. Wrapped in a casing a made & small bungee cords to hold it. Once they start getting on top, I put potty pads ... More work but I can keep an eye on the poops.

Potty pads, great idea!

 

[Erinnlyn]

Potty pads, great idea!

The potty pads were great for me, until the little stinkers find out they could tear it up and start eating it. I thought I had found something great until I found them doing that one day! I think they were a week or two old. lol

 

[aynesidea]

The potty pads were great for me, until the little stinkers find out they could tear it up and start eating it. I thought I had found something great until I found them doing that one day! I think they were a week or two old. lol

Good to know!

 

[ChickNanny13]

The potty pads were great for me, until the little stinkers find out they could tear it up and start eating it. I thought I had found something great until I found them doing that one day! I think they were a week or two old. lol

Forgot to mention that usually about 2wks old, about the time they prefer being on top the MHP instead of under. I tried tucking the plastic edges under and put a towel under the waterer, thinking it catches their attention (wet spot). But have notice about 2wks is when they get "destructive" curious