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

[aart]

Ah

Yeah. Unfortunately these are only threaded at the end

Ohhh, well, easy to change out...
Get some threaded rod (cut to size with nut on to chase thread after carefully filing cut end so threads won't jam)

or there are some long bolts threaded all the way down.
This is a 6+" hex head...think I got them at Tractor Supply.

 

[Minky]

I like your chick cam!!

I have posted an update in my "Scab or poo" thread in Emergencies. Please read - I am a bit worried....

 

[trudyg]

BBZZZetc - if you can't lower the top, maybe raise the floor? A couple sheets of cardboard taped together would be an easy fix, unless you have an inch board or something similar.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

BBZZZetc - if you can't lower the top, maybe raise the floor? A couple sheets of cardboard taped together would be an easy fix, unless you have an inch board or something similar.

Good idea- I'll do that

 

[saraiquimby1]

My chicks are 4 weeks old Monday. Here’s the weather the next week.

Can I put the darn things outside? I have been using MHP in my basement, and they all just sleep on top of it. 16 chicks total.
I’ll be moving them into one oh my horse stalls, so still in a barn, but outside too.
So can j move them out? Do I need to move their MHP out to the stall too?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

My chicks are 4 weeks old Monday. Here’s the weather the next week. View attachment 1268057
Can I put the darn things outside? I have been using MHP in my basement, and they all just sleep on top of it. 16 chicks total.
I’ll be moving them into one oh my horse stalls, so still in a barn, but outside too.
So can j move them out? Do I need to move their MHP out to the stall too?

I would be comfortable doing so. If you are at all hesitant i would remove the mhp and introduce a huddle box, then after a day or two, move birds and huddle box out.

 

[saraiquimby1]

View attachment 1267192

I would be fomfortavle doing so. If you are att all hesitant i would remove the mhp and introduce a huddle box, then after a day or two, move birds and huddle box out.

What’s a huddle box lol

 

[bruceha2000]

My chicks are 4 weeks old Monday. Here’s the weather the next week. View attachment 1268057
Can I put the darn things outside? I have been using MHP in my basement, and they all just sleep on top of it. 16 chicks total.
I’ll be moving them into one oh my horse stalls, so still in a barn, but outside too.
So can j move them out? Do I need to move their MHP out to the stall too?

How old are they?
Are they fully feathered?
You can have them outside if they are fully feathered OR if you put their MHP out there with them. Even if fully feathered I would put the MHP out with them for at least a few days if for no reason other than familiarity. Chickens don't like change.

Is that horse stall 100% predator proof? Or is the brooder 100% predator proof? That means NO holes > 1/2". I would hate for you to lose them to a fox/coon/weasel.

 

[aart]

What’s a huddle box lol

Huddle Box
Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.

Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.

Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.

Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.
This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.


RE: Moving them outside:
Would be good to get them used to colder ambient temp by closing off brooder room from the rest of the house(and closing any heat vents in that room) and opening window to cool room off for a t least a few days before moving them outside. Get them used to huddle box during this cool off.....unless you're going to move MHP out to coop too.

 

[saraiquimby1]

YEah the stall is where I brood chicks in the summer. 4 solid wood walls, hardware cloth across the top and window/door.
They are 4 weeks old. Almost fully feathered, but not quite.
Currently, they are in the basement, but it's not a finished basement and it gets down to 40-50 depending on how cold it is outside. It's unseasonably warm outside for this time of year, that's why I wanted to get them outside sooner lol I can easily move their MHP outside too, just didn't know if it was necessary.