Understood, but so you know for later, the heating pad I'm using was a little over $10, and I bungee'd it under a piece of spare welded wire fencing I found out in the back yard. Taped the sharp edges with duct tape, covered it with a pillow case. Found some clip thingees in my office supplies that holds the pillow case snug (rather than sagging). Cloth baby diapers over the top (but any old cloth or towel would do). Took me about 30 minutes to make mine (most of that was being OCD about taping the edges evenly).
So it's not all that expensive for when you do want to try to make one. And the heating pads you're supposed to use (no auto shut off) are by definition the leasts fancy ones, so not as expensive...
@Ur-ur-ur-urrr
, after I shunned the heating lamp, I got a Brinsea Ecoglow. Worked ok, but I tried MHP this time around, and they are so much more calm and well adjusted. I think it may just simulate a natural broody a little better than all the hard lines of the panel heater. Worked totally fine for newborns right out of the incubator (after drying off) - kept it very low for them to press their little backs agains the heating pad. Slept quietly and played dead under there for 24-36 hours before exploring. Now it's turned on "low" and they enjoy ducking under it for a nap and sitting on top... In my experience, they are happier/more secure than with the panel (just my experience). I need to get someone to buy the Ecglows now...
- Ant Farm
Edit: Sorry, I should clarify - I actually ended up getting a second heating pad to make a bigger MHP as they got older. So that's a little over $10 x 2. Not nothing, but not nearly as much as "fancy" heating pads cost.
