How does my mama heating pad look?

[Boppo]

I believe it's not the air temperature that matters, it's the temperature of the surface of the heating pad that counts.

@Boppo ?

Makes sense to me, though I am not an expert here. But just think about how the mother hen sits on the eggs and chicks - it's the heat radiating down from her body that warms them.

 

[schambo]

When do I reduce the heat on the heating pad? Girls are 1 week old, and overnight lows are expected to vary quite a bit, between 35° and 50°, with most nights around 40°. By next week, overnight lows are all consistently over 45°.

They’re snuggling under it all night, but spending less and less time under it during the day.

 

[fuzzi]

When do I reduce the heat on the heating pad? Girls are 1 week old, and overnight lows are expected to vary quite a bit, between 35° and 50°, with most nights around 40°. By next week, overnight lows are all consistently over 45°.View attachment 3504744
They’re snuggling under it all night, but spending less and less time under it during the day.

They will self regulate.

 

[rosemarythyme]

When do I reduce the heat on the heating pad? Girls are 1 week old, and overnight lows are expected to vary quite a bit, between 35° and 50°, with most nights around 40°. By next week, overnight lows are all consistently over 45°.

How many heat settings does the heating pad have? I find clicking down a notch every 5 days works for me (my pad has 4 temperature options) but if that sounds too aggressive you can wait until next week when the lows are more consistent.

 

[schambo]

When do you think I should consider putting the ramp back in this little coop? Should I bother at all? I feel like eventually it would be nice for them to have some extra space.

 

[rosemarythyme]

When do you think I should consider putting the ramp back in this little coop? Should I bother at all? I feel like eventually it would be nice for them to have some extra space.

I wouldn't worry about it since IIRC you'll be integrating them in with the adults? So no need to get them used to going up there if they won't be permanently living there.

 

[BastyPutt]

I dont have much to contribute in terms of the heating pad, but I would ditch the straw for some pine shavings or some other clean bedding. In general, straw is scooped from the field and goes straight to the consumer. It is notoriously loaded with mites and other parasites.