How does my mama heating pad look?

[schambo]

I’m picking up 3 chicks tonight. I plan to brood them outside, but I’ll keep them inside for at least tonight. Does this look like an okay set-up?
This is a heating pad over a wire cabinet shelf, covered with a placemat and Press N Seal. The towel is just there to hold the contraption in place and close up that side to make it cozier. It doesn’t get lower in the back, but I tried to add extra bedding back there to compensate.

 

[fuzzi]

I’m picking up 3 chicks tonight. I plan to brood them outside, but I’ll keep them inside for at least tonight. Does this look like an okay set-up? View attachment 3495801View attachment 3495802
This is a heating pad over a wire cabinet shelf, covered with a placemat and Press N Seal. The towel is just there to hold the contraption in place and close up that side to make it cozier. It doesn’t get lower in the back, but I tried to add extra bedding back there to compensate.

How old are the chicks?

The chicks need to be able to put their backs up against the heating pad, not sure by your photos if they will be able to.

 

[schambo]

How old are the chicks?

The chicks need to be able to put their backs up against the heating pad, not sure by your photos if they will be able to.

They’re between 1 and 5 days old. If I added more bedding or a towel to reduce the space under the shelf, would that help? The pad also comes down to the bottom in the back.

 

[fuzzi]

They’re between 1 and 5 days old. If I added more bedding or a towel to reduce the space under the shelf, would that help? The pad also comes down to the bottom in the back.

But will they be able to touch their backs to the pad?

I'm fairly new at this, but I've raised two broods outside this year using a MHP. I read lots of information about them here on BYC before building mine, and the need for the chicks to be able to touch their backs to the heat source was emphasized.

 

[schambo]

How old are the chicks?

The chicks need to be able to put their backs up against the heating pad, not sure by your photos if they will be able to.

I think they will? I don’t know; I haven’t had chicks before.

 

[KRack]

I just did the mama heating pad for the first time too! It’s been wonderful.

I do agree with the previous poster about it looking a little high. Yes you could add a towel or something to get them closer to it. Another concern I have is that the bars are exposed on your shelf, and chicks love to get stuck in things! I would put a pillow case around the shelf, and then put the heating pad on top.

I would also ditch the newspaper personally, or at least put paper towels down on top. It’s better grip and then they won’t get ink all of their little feet.

Lastly, they will learn to jump out of that tub within a week or so if they’re anything like mine. I improvised by putting them in a large cardboard box (we bought a bagger for our mower and it was a great sized box!), and I covered the top with a netting I got for our blueberry bushes. Here’s my original set up, and the box now.

 

[KRack]

Here’s what I had first, and the net I used to cover our box which is working well!

 

[schambo]

I just did the mama heating pad for the first time too! It’s been wonderful.

I do agree with the previous poster about it looking a little high. Yes you could add a towel or something to get them closer to it. Another concern I have is that the bars are exposed on your shelf, and chicks love to get stuck in things! I would put a pillow case around the shelf, and then put the heating pad on top.

I would also ditch the newspaper personally, or at least put paper towels down on top. It’s better grip and then they won’t get ink all of their little feet.

Lastly, they will learn to jump out of that tub within a week or so if they’re anything like mine. I improvised by putting them in a large cardboard box (we bought a bagger for our mower and it was a great sized box!), and I covered the top with a netting I got for our blueberry bushes. Here’s my original set up, and the box now.

The box has a lid, it’s just off for the picture. Thanks for the tip about the newspaper. I’ll take another look at my heat pad setup.

 

[schambo]

I am concerned that it doesn’t seem to be getting very hot under there? This is at the highest setting.

 

[schambo]

I do agree with the previous poster about it looking a little high. Yes you could add a towel or something to get them closer to it. Another concern I have is that the bars are exposed on your shelf, and chicks love to get stuck in things! I would put a pillow case around the shelf, and then put the heating pad on

Kind of like this?