Higher chance of crushed chicks with mama heating pad?

[yellowish_chickenfeet]

Hey everyone!
I've been planning on using the mama heating pad method for our chicks, but I was wondering if we would then have to worry about the chicks getting crushed from huddling together. We will be raising silkies with standards. Could this be a concern?

Thank you!

 

[trudyg]

I have 16 under an extra large sunbeam heating pad, no problem with squashing. I have a mix of smaller/larger chicks and have it tilted from 1 1/2" in the back up to 2 1/2" in the front. They can escape from all 4 sides. No issue.

 

[Blooie]

I had Bantams, Silkies, and standards under MHP several times with no issues. Keep an eye on them as you would with any chicks. Usually the only time the pile up under there is if they are chilly, but as long as you fine tune your setup as you go along and learn what works best, you should be golden.

We’ve had a case of crushed chicks reported over on the Mama Heating Pad thread (our group is fantastic at reporting any issues so we can brainstorm and solve) but the frame had collapsed because it was too flimsy and couldn’t support the weight of the chicks on top. Good luck!

 

[yellowish_chickenfeet]

I have 16 under an extra large sunbeam heating pad, no problem with squashing. I have a mix of smaller/larger chicks and have it tilted from 1 1/2" in the back up to 2 1/2" in the front. They can escape from all 4 sides. No issue.

Thank you! I think I'll try to have a similar setup, where all 4 sides are open.

 

[yellowish_chickenfeet]

I had Bantams, Silkies, and standards under MHP several times with no issues. Keep an eye on them as you would with any chicks. Usually the only time the pile up under there is if they are chilly, but as long as you fine tune your setup as you go along and learn what works best, you should be golden.

We’ve had a case of crushed chicks reported over on the Mama Heating Pad thread (our group is fantastic at reporting any issues so we can brainstorm and solve) but the frame had collapsed because it was too flimsy and couldn’t support the weight of the chicks on top. Good luck!

Thanks for such a thorough response! I will definitely try build a sturdy and hopefully adjustable base.

 

[trudyg]

I used a rack that came in my microwave, but you could use a cookie cooling rack. Use small bungie cords, maybe 5 or 6, to strap the heating pad to the rack, then rig up something to elevate it. Read the mhp thread and you'll see there's not just one way, you do what works for you. Let me tell you, my chicks went right under and went to sleep. I've never had chicks so quiet and content, amazing. It's just gotta be healthy for them to go to sleep and dark and sleep straight thru to morning!

 

[yellowish_chickenfeet]

I used a rack that came in my microwave, but you could use a cookie cooling rack. Use small bungie cords, maybe 5 or 6, to strap the heating pad to the rack, then rig up something to elevate it. Read the mhp thread and you'll see there's not just one way, you do what works for you. Let me tell you, my chicks went right under and went to sleep. I've never had chicks so quiet and content, amazing. It's just gotta be healthy for them to go to sleep and dark and sleep straight thru to morning!

Thank you for the response! After I made this thread, my dad and I actually started working on a structure for them. We're thinking of making a sort of shelf that can be placed in grooves.

 

[blackdog043]

Here's my cooling rack with 6 inch carriage bolts, it adjusts pretty easy and all four sides can be open, if your brooder is big enough.

 

[yellowish_chickenfeet]

Here's my cooling rack with 6 inch carriage bolts, it adjusts pretty easy and all four sides can be open, if your brooder is big enough.

View attachment 1378369

I like that idea a lot. How tall do they need the underneath part to be?

 

[blackdog043]

For new chicks I have the back about 2" high and the front 3", then adjust as the chicks grow, keeping a high and low side. You want the chicks to be able to be in contact with the pad for warmth, just like they would be under a broody hen. The first time you put the chicks in the brooder, you may have to put the chicks under the pad and hold your hand in front so they realize it's nice and warm under there, but they will get the hang of it.