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

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bruceha2000 said:
You want to make that "not possible". Chicks can get stuck between the pad and frame and die.

:hit That is too many to lose (any is too many but 25%!!). How did they get smooshed? Is the cave big enough for all with the ability to get out from both the front and back?
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I'm not sure why they are dying. The cave is plenty big, and they can get out of both ends. I put 7 that were VERY small compared to the others in a separate brooder with my EcoGlow so that they didn't keep getting run over, and I they seem to get weak, and then weaker, and then I find them dead in the morning. Not all squished, but laid over on their sides and dead in the morning.
I've never lost so many chicks before, but I've never ordered from a hatchery either. I've always had good luck with chicks, so i'm not sure what's wrong now. I have to think it's the health of the chicks, since I've brooded tons before and never lost this many.
Most of the ones that have died have been in the other brooder, so i'm not concerned that it is from anything related to MHP. I separate them when they seem weaker. If that makes sense.
 
You guys are such a wealth of information I need to know what can I do to prevent so much starter waste. Tonight I had half a quart on the floor around the feeder. I use one of the round red feeders you put a mason jar on. I almost just took the jar out and was going to have them clean it up off the floor in the morning but they some poop in it too so not sure if that is ok to do.
 
NNYchick said:
You guys are such a wealth of information I need to know what can I do to prevent so much starter waste. Tonight I had half a quart on the floor around the feeder. I use one of the round red feeders you put a mason jar on. I almost just took the jar out and was going to have them clean it up off the floor in the morning but they some poop in it too so not sure if that is ok to do.
Click to expand...
First you might try putting feeder up on a block of 2x4 or a brick so they can't scratch it out.

I devised these, pretty much spill/scratch proof. Chuck of 2x4 screwed to bottom for lift and weight. I put another funnel or shoulder and neck cut from a one liter bottle on top of feeder to keep them from getting up there.
full

full
 
Thank you. I will search my husbands wood scrap pile in the garage for piece of 2x4 to fit under and lift up. I’m also going to search recycling bin for something to make like yours, is that a yogurt container? Is it ok to pull out the feeder to encourage them to eat what is on the floor, I don’t have shavings in there so it’s on a puppy pad, easy for them to see.
 
NNYchick said:
is that a yogurt container?
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Yes it is, love the clear topped ones! Can't remember the brand, got them from friends.
Just happened to have a funnel that fit tight enough to stay put near top of yogurt container, had to cut of a hanging tab on funnel rim and cut off tip of spout to be about 1/4" above bottom of yogurt container. It took some fiddling, but works really well. Have two of them, only downside is capacity, once chicks get older(or the more chicks there are) have to fill them more frequently.
 
bruceha2000 said:
How frequently is "more frequently"? I have to fill my adult girls' feeder every day. Filling one for the chicks, especially as you have yours made to fill from the top with no turning over looks pretty easy.
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Heck, I don't remember exactly....probably from once a day to twice a day.
They are easy to fill for sure.
I fill the adults feeder once a day too, it is also top fill.
 

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