Mama heating pad cave for 20 chicks

[C4r0l4]

That's was probably me...with a 12x24" flat pad....i wouldn't try with more than that.
I see later you mentioned using 2, put them as close together at the 12" ends.


@ChickensComeHome2Roost stop deluging threads with posts about your bad heating pad experience.
Start a new thread with lots of pics and ambient temps if you feel the need to warn others of some errors.

Yes, it was you. Thank you Aart for that post.

 

[oldhen2345]

Hi y'all! I am new to everything chickens and have 18 chicks coming later this week. While trying to learn everything I can, I came across the mama heating pad cave concept which I want to try. I've seen several examples of them but they all seem to be for small number of chicks. What size pad can y'all recommend for 18-20 chicks? I have less than a week to get the cave ready so any help is appreciated. Thank you!

I have 15 Cornish cross chickscoming. Usually I use one mama cave- built to the length and width of a large heating pad- about 1 ft by 18 inches. For these, I will make another frame and put them side by side so chicks can move inside from one to the other. My frame is PVC pipe and chicken wire- making sure to tuck away any sharp ends. So I can use this for these and when I order laying hens, I can just use one (I usually only order 6). I cover the heating pads with Saran Wrap for cleanliness and put a towel over the whole thing with it draping low across the front so they can scoot under.