Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder (Picture Heavy) - UPDATE

[luckyplucky]

Curving is not needed, I prefer a flat surface as it increases capacity.
The angling is good as it allows the chicks to pick a spot that suits their needs, and accommodates different sized chicks, but it should not be touching the ground in back. Draping is also not usually needed, if it's drafty a towel can be used for draping slightly over the edges but chicks can still push thru it. Better to have all 4 sides open as egress points for chicks to go in and out from under pad, 4 adjustable legs works best, IMO, as the chicks grow the pad will need to be raised.

Not sure that pad will work tho as the thermostat controls the heat output based on the ambient temp...so there's no user control of heat output.
From the website for model S1824:
"Heat is distributed evenly and provides a uniform lying area 30-35° F above air temperature."
It's hard to measure the heat from pads for chicks, if you have an infrared temp gauge to measure the surface temp on pad might help you assess it....mine is about 110F, others who have measured this way see similar surface temps.

Some of these heat pads are attractive as they are stiff(not sure if yours is stiff or flexible) so no rack needed, but may be hard to attach to adjustable legs/stands/framework....so maybe a rack is still needed.

Good points, thanks!
Not sure if we have an infrared temp gauge, if not hopefully we can borrow one from a friend for a bit to test the temp and see. And it's stiff, but I know we can fashion a rack of some sort. We're good at MacGuyvering, lol. If nothing else we can attach bars at a gradiated angle right on to the brooder walls to rest the pad on, and just move the bars as the chicks grow.
Thanks again for your input, that was helpful!

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I used one of these, bent two legs on the long side outwards to drop that side lower, then unbent to stand it back up taller as they grew. I made another and trimmed the legs as shown but then had to add blocks as they grew. If you can find one that fits it's an easy fix.

 

[luckyplucky]

I used one of these, bent two legs on the long side outwards to drop that side lower, then unbent to stand it back up taller as they grew. I made another and trimmed the legs as shown but then had to add blocks as they grew. If you can find one that fits it's an easy fix. View attachment 1245849 View attachment 1245850

We have some of those! In various sizes. Did you use it with a big stiff heating pad like the one I mentioned and was it supportive enough?

 

[Ruralhideaway]

@luckyplucky I used it with a human heating pad that was covered in hot glued on black vinyl. So that did make it heavier and much less flexible. Never seen the type you have in person to compare. But those are sturdy shelves and don't collapse even with full size chickens sitting on top. Difficult to bend, which is good.

 

[SueT]

I'm looking forward to setting up a MHP for the first time! I'm driving over to Cackle Hatchery on Feb 6 to pick up 4 appenzeller spitzhauben chicks. I have previously used a reptile bulb, but the room I'm starting them in is pretty cool, maybe 50-60º on the coldest days, so I want them to have a bigger warm area.
I am studying this thread intently, and may have questions as I go....thanks everyone!

 

[bruceha2000]

Good luck @SueT, we are here if you need us

Nice that you can pick up at the hatchery rather than having the birds shipped. Easier on them and no shipping cost.

My last set had a MHP cave out in a brooder space in the coop the last week of June '17. They were fine in temps similar to what you expect.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

I have a question... Sorry if its been asked before, which I'm sure it has given how massive this thread is.
I have the sunbeam heatpad. Does anyone know what happens if the power goes out and back on? Will the heat pad come back on or does it need to be turned back on with the controller?
Today I was sitting at my computer and the power blipped out for a split second. Enough for my computer to shut off and microwave clock to reset. Not sure what caused that, and it's not a common event but just made me think.

 

[aart]

I have a question... Sorry if its been asked before, which I'm sure it has given how massive this thread is.
I have the sunbeam heatpad. Does anyone know what happens if the power goes out and back on? Will the heat pad come back on or does it need to be turned back on with the controller?
Today I was sitting at my computer and the power blipped out for a split second. Enough for my computer to shut off and microwave clock to reset. Not sure what caused that, and it's not a common event but just made me think.

Which exact model of Sunbeam?
Does it have an auto-off?

 

[bruceha2000]

If it is the Xpress pad with a button to defeat the 2 hour auto off, you have to turn it back on after a power outage. If it is one that doesn't have an auto off, it will turn back on.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

Oh sorry, yeah it's the xpress pad with the controls and button to turn 'auto off' off.
Makes me wonder if I should have gotten one without an auto off feature. I do like the adjustable heat setting though.