Heating pad instead of heating lamp

[what did I do]

I wouldn't be putting the chicks in any bedroom. Chicks are very dirty, dusty and smelly.

 

[kelly77]

I only have 2, a Silkie and a Frizzle ...I am a clean freak and they honestly have not been bad ...yet...new shavings everyday and I am constantly giving them fresh water. The dogs smell worse
... but I imagine when they out grow this tote they will deff be going into their coop

 

[PineHollowPoms]

I use a light at night, for heat yes, but also for light. In the poultry houses my husband worked at lights were on for chicks 24/7 so they could see to find food and water. They slept just fine. They were meaties, sure, and they wanted them to gain as much weight as possible, but I am afraid of letting the little ones go too long without food when so young, and with no lights on at night they would do nothing but sleep. When we lose power in the house I will cover the brooders with a towel (its not completely dark, but dusky) and they hunker down and go right to sleep.

 

[RonC]

I used a heating pad for the first week or so when mine were small. I wrapped it in a towel to prevent it being pecked and getting pooped on. Put mine in the brooder under a small box with a towel in it to make them a nest of sorts. Here's a pic, brings back memories of my girls when they were little.

 

[AZ_HenHouse]

I have a singleton that uses a heating pad and has for the last 4 weeks. I tried a light but she wasn't happy. The heating pad gives her something to cuddle in-think substitute mommy. I keep it on low and have a towel over it that can be replaced when it gets soiled. I don't lay it flat but rather make a snuggle cave out of it-think up the sides of the brooder.
She is very happy to be put to bed at night but only if her heating pad is on and she is out in the big coop now. We don't turn the heating padon till later-after they have officially went to bed (we live in AZ with temps in the 100's right now). It was not my first choice but it worked for my spoiled Mymy and her happiness is what counts

 

[kelly77]

OMG that picture is sooo cute!

 

[chiqita]

They have reptile heating pads you can put under the floor of your brooder that work well, or seedling matts. They are both water proof and shouldn't start fires.

Chicks LOOVVE seedling matts, they strach out like they are sun bathing.

 

[Holdenchick]

I am thinking of getting the reptile style heat pad for my 7 day old chicks as it is quite cold here atm due to winter. They are in a bird style cage at the moment but it has a plasic bottom. If i get a heat pad that is 1/3 of the cage and wrap it in a towel, is it going to be safe for the chicks and not melt the plastic bottom or set the wood shavings on fire? They have a heat lamp at the moment but would prefer to turn it off when i go out for extended hours in the day so i dont come home to a fire. I have checked out the pet stores and supposably these reptile heat pads should go under the glass tank, so not sure if they are suitable for the chicks. We already lost a chick last night so dont want to loose anymore by cooking or burning them!

 

[Lady Jade]

these days u can get radiant heat systems for ur floor or coop and use left over peices to make a small pad for incubater...just need a thermostat...then sandwich between thin bricks or tiles to protect wires...

 

[halfwaynowhere]

I have mine on a heat pad. My "brooder" is currently a small cat carrier, since I only have three babies, and needed to set up something quick when my broody decided not to be a good mom. I'll move them to something bigger when they need it. the heat pad I have doesn't have adjustable settings and gets pretty hot, so for now, I just have it about 3-4 inches under the front of the brooder. I have a thermometer in there and check it regularly, and it fluctuates quite a bit depending on the temperature in the house, but the chicks are happy. When they get older and need less heat, I'm going to set it up on a timer so it goes on and off throughout the day, to try to balance it. It's summer and I don't think they'll be indoors for all that long anyways, so I figure this should work out pretty well. I keep waking up in the middle of the night to check on them, though!