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

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saraiquimby1 said:
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.
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That's not to much of a temp difference, no need for acclimation.
If the MHP is easy to move, and they still fit under it, that would be quicker than acclimating to the huddle box....go for it.
 
saraiquimby1 said:
Okay. @aart is it normal for them to sleep on top of it instead? They haven’t slept under it in like a week and a half. They all sleep on top of it instead
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That's when it gets too warm, or is too low, to be comfortable underneath.
If you move it out with them, they may go under at night if it's chillier than the basement.
Can you adjust the heat setting on the heating pad...
...and adjustable legs on the rack?
 
aart said:
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.
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:goodpost:
aart said:
That's not to much of a temp difference, no need for acclimation.
If the MHP is easy to move, and they still fit under it, that would be quicker than acclimating to the huddle box....go for it.
Click to expand...
X2
 
saraiquimby1 said:
Yes. I already moved it up thinking that was the problem. The setting is only on 2 or 3 I think out of 6. I can turn it down more maybe
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Last year's chicks, brooded in the coop from day one, ere on the lowest heat setting at 3 1/2 weeks and opting for the top except for the coldest of nights. Id have turned it off, but still had two chicks that were 2 weeks younger in the mix
 
saraiquimby1 said:
Yes. I already moved it up thinking that was the problem. The setting is only on 2 or 3 I think out of 6. I can turn it down more maybe
Click to expand...
Given they are nearly fully feathered, they likely don't need much, if any, added heat. I think I would leave it at the current setting and take it out to the barn with them. See if they start to go under it again at night. If not, turn it down a notch. Check again. They may choose to go under even if it isn't on just for comfort and of course they can pile together under it for warmth from each other.
 

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