How low is too low for Mama Heating Pad?

[we3ernes]

There’s tons of it on this site. I would be confident using day old chicks and an MHP at least as low as 20F overnights. Chicks are born in spring with a real mama in those temps in many parts of this country.

Awesome! That’s exactly what I needed to hear!

 

[aart]

Some insulation on the bottom might be good, I put a pet crate tray upside down over a bunch of shavings for that, but otherwise you want all sides open for egress so none gets trapped underneath. As long as they are dry and out of any drafts, they should be fine.
If you need to block any drafts do it a good 6" away from sides of pad to maintain their egress from under the pad.

Tho they are not just like a mama, as long as they know how to go in and out they will stay warm enough. I cannot cite any usage at certain temps, I never recorded any here tho had broody chicks in the neg F's, but I would think that mid 30's lows won't do them in.
Close observation, as always, is the best bet.

I think your turning down the pad heat inside then back up when they go out is as good as you can get in your scenario. Move them out during the warmest part of the day.
Best of cLuck!!

ETA...is the shop cooler than the house but warmer than the coop?

 

[we3ernes]

ETA...is the shop cooler than the house but warmer than the coop?

No, the shop is the same temp as the coop. I really want to have it insulated, but it wasn’t in the budget when we built the house. Our shop/garage is separate from the house, so it doesn’t even share an insulated wall. The “garage” is a storage area for bikes/lawn equipment and we park in a carport in front of those two areas.