How does my mama heating pad look?

[KRack]

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

That’s on the towel though, right? Not directly on the heating pad? Can you put a thermometer under the heating pad so it’s touching like the chicks will be??

The cover looks good to me! You’ll have to show the chicks where the heat is while they get used to it.

As my chicks have gotten bigger, they started sleeping right outside of the heating pad which let me know I could lower the heat a setting, so it’s been helpful that they let me know what they’re comfortable with too!

 

[fuzzi]

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

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

@Boppo ?

 

[schambo]

Well, here goes nothing! Babies are all tucked in. How do I know if they’re warm enough? Right now they’re all snuggled against the back, and they’re quiet, with some occasional soft peeping. Good sign?

 

[schambo]

They came out for a snack, drink, and adventure, so they must be doing okay so far!

 

[KRack]

Well, here goes nothing! Babies are all tucked in. How do I know if they’re warm enough? Right now they’re all snuggled against the back, and they’re quiet, with some occasional soft peeping. Good sign?View attachment 3496726

Yep, that’s a good sign. They get louder and have a more distressed sounding cheep when something is wrong. Keep an eye on them and make sure they get back and forth from food and water ok, but they seem to be doing well!

 

[rosemarythyme]

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

I don't temperature test my set up. I use my hand. You're looking for very warm to the touch, but not so hot that it feels uncomfortable.

The chicks look cozy under there so far, maybe even a touch snug but for the first few days that should be fine (and you can remove that towel on bottom easily to give them more head room when needed).

Personally I would remove the rolled towel on the side and also the flap in the back - I like them having at least 2 directions they can get out from, so they don't end up crushing each other into corners. Don't worry about trying to trap heat in there, as long as the MHP is in a draft free spot it won't be an issue. You said you plan on brooding outside so when you move this outdoors, I would place the heating pad a little further from a back wall so they can get in and out front and back (and maybe sides). Like this is how mine is placed, with about 2" to the wall and then maybe another 6" open around the back:

 

[Captain13]

You wil want to put something on top of the pad such as a piece of stiff cardboard. Then maybe put some Glad Press and Seal on that. Those chicks will be up there pretty quick and the Press and Seal will make it easy to keep the top of the pad or towels clean. Otherwise, looks like you did a pretty good job.

 

[schambo]

The chicks look cozy under there so far, maybe even a touch snug but for the first few days that should be fine (and you can remove that towel on bottom easily to give them more head room when needed).

Yeah, they’re snug on purpose. They crammed themselves in like that. They have lots of room to spread out if they need to, and there’s more headroom closer to the front.

I’ll remove the side towel, and maybe centre the pad a little so they can get out via the front and both sides.

 

[schambo]

You wil want to put something on top of the pad such as a piece of stiff cardboard. Then maybe put some Glad Press and Seal on that. Those chicks will be up there pretty quick and the Press and Seal will make it easy to keep the top of the pad or towels clean. Otherwise, looks like you did a pretty good job.

Yeah, there’s a folded towel covered in Press and Seal now, and it seems to be working fine for now.

 

[schambo]

I don't temperature test my set up. I use my hand. You're looking for very warm to the touch, but not so hot that it feels uncomfortable.

The chicks look cozy under there so far, maybe even a touch snug but for the first few days that should be fine (and you can remove that towel on bottom easily to give them more head room when needed).

Personally I would remove the rolled towel on the side and also the flap in the back - I like them having at least 2 directions they can get out from, so they don't end up crushing each other into corners. Don't worry about trying to trap heat in there, as long as the MHP is in a draft free spot it won't be an issue. You said you plan on brooding outside so when you move this outdoors, I would place the heating pad a little further from a back wall so they can get in and out front and back (and maybe sides). Like this is how mine is placed, with about 2" to the wall and then maybe another 6" open around the back:
View attachment 3496849

When would you move them outside? I’m thinking on Saturday so I can watch how they do during the day? Or is sooner better? I just didn’t want to put them out first thing, because it was already evening by they time I got home with them and they had been under a heat lamp before I got them, so I thought straight to outside would be a bit of a shock.