Is it enough

[ncCHICKS]

Is a heating pad on medium enough to raise about 2 baby chicks?

 

[debilorrah]

I've actually never tried a heating pad! Never even thought of it! It would seem, in theory that it would be enough - let's see what more seasoned veterans have to say.

 

[birdsofparadise]

Is it safe to leave a heating pad on 24/7 for 8 weeks? I donʻt think its designed for that kind of duty. Plus, you have got to figure out the "surface" temp of the pad and regulate it carefully so that you donʻt burn the chicks legs. Lastly, what are you going to do with the poop on the pad? A 250 watt heating light is a proven and easier solution.

 

[swtangel321]

Dont think I would use a heating pad in the brooder, I wouldnt feel safe leaving it on 24/7 and most new heating pads go off after an hour so you would have to keep turing it on. A bunch of resons I wouldnt feel safe using it.

You can get a heat lamp and bulb for about $10-$15

 

[cmom]

I personally use a brooder lamp but have used a heating pad with an old towell wrapped around it.

 

[jossanne]

When I separated the packing peanuts from the ones I ordered, I only had one heat lamp. I gave the packing peanuts a heating pad, and it worked beautifully. They used it for about 3 weeks, on low. I worried about it, though, and was glad to take it out when they didn't need it anymore.

Look at pet stores. I saw someone post a link on here about an animal heating pad... I would feel safe with something like that.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
Why did you seperate the peanuts?? You could have raised them together, with no Ill effects to either group.

 

[willowcol]

It really depends on the heating pad. The newer ones shut off after a hour or so. I have a older one that doesn't shut off. It is in my homemeade incubator. It has been on medium since my first eggs went in in Sept. I have only turned it off once for a 3 day break between getting new eggs. It has no melted spots, has never acted up, and actually on med in my cooler it keeps the temp steady at 100. I have no thermostate and it has never had a heat spike or temp drop yet. So I would think it would be fine, it might be fine on low for the chicks if they are in the house.

 

[jossanne]

Quote:
Why did you seperate the peanuts?? You could have raised them together, with no Ill effects to either group.

I separated the peanuts because I didn't want to get attached to them.

We are planning on eating them, and I won't be able to if they're my pets. I wanted to hold and tame the keepers, so they're in a brooder where I can reach them. The peanuts are in a big pumpkin box, so I can't even reach them if I wanted to...