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

[SandyRiverChick]

This invention is SO AWESOME! I just picked up the beginning of my 2nd time around, 2nd flock. It's been about 8years so I'm discovering a ton on new tricks. But this one, by far the best. Here's a few pics of our first day - 3 chicks with the mama hut and no heat lamp this time- yay! Just a 65watt bulb to add to the heat provided by the heating blanket. Watching the behavior, it seems to be everything that I've read - just like they would with a mom they run under there, hang, sleep, and then run out to party - eat, get a drink, goof around, run back.... So wondering what you think of it and any tips/advice I can get as a new-oldbie!! Thanks!! View attachment 1281515

 

[bruceha2000]

I admit that although I’m excited to implement the MHP, I am also pretty new to raising chicks and afraid of causing them any harm out of ignorance.

You and everyone else that starts raising chicks! My 2012 girls roasted in a 95F bathroom for a week, then a 90°F bathroom for a week, then a 85°F bathroom for a week. Let me tell you, going in there to use the toilet was UNCOMFORTABLE. Imagine the poor chicks with their red heat lamp aiming down into the bathtub. I had a remote controlled thermostat (sensor on the floor of the bathtub) meant for reptiles to control the temperature. Following the "rules" of chick raising. Chirpy birds 24 hours day, a few with pastybutt.

Then came the MHP thread 3 months prior to the arrival of my 2015s. I already knew Blooie, knew she was a smart and thorough lady. Therefore I trusted her experience and insight. They had their MHP in our bedroom for a couple of nights. They slept quietly, you wouldn't even know they were there. The "leap of faith" one needs is to understand that chicks ABSOLUTELY do NOT need those high 24 hour ambient temps. The 7 girls went under a broody Black Australorp in a brooder area out in the coop. Day temps in the 70°s, nights in the 50°s. Note the LACK of 24x7 heat on these girls.

When they are in a small brooder area with a heat lamp, they can't get away from it. When they are in a large area with a hen, MHP or heat lamp, they can AND WILL go away from the heat and return when they need it.

You will enjoy your chicks. As you have read, let them tell you if the pad is too hot, too cold or ahhhh just right. Just right is when they sleep in the cave at night and come and go during the day.

 

[bruceha2000]

I can’t take a photo right now, but the cave we made was about 4” at the front opening, slanting down to about 2 1/2” at the back. Plywood sides, hardware cloth top, with the heating pad layered with towel, press n seal and wood chips as recommended per this thread.

2.5" in the back is probably fine. They will go as far back as they need to to get to the pad. And yes you WILL wonder if they are alive under there because they are so quiet.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

View attachment 1281528 View attachment 1281532 This invention is SO AWESOME! I just picked up the beginning of my 2nd time around, 2nd flock. It's been about 8years so I'm discovering a ton on new tricks. But this one, by far the best. Here's a few pics of our first day - 3 chicks with the mama hut and no heat lamp this time- yay! Just a 65watt bulb to add to the heat provided by the heating blanket. Watching the behavior, it seems to be everything that I've read - just like they would with a mom they run under there, hang, sleep, and then run out to party - eat, get a drink, goof around, run back.... So wondering what you think of it and any tips/advice I can get as a new-oldbie!! Thanks!! View attachment 1281515

I was thinking that someone might say its too high? I was about to smash it down a bit, since it's a wire frame - but the heating pad goes all the way down both sides and I noticed that they found their way to a warm back corner where they get the warm side and the top, so.... ?? Think I can leave it or should I make it shorter? The room temp is about 70 and I estimate it's about 85 under there. They're out alot and not acting cold at all. Just seems so true that the extreme temps were never necessary...

 

[Blooie]

I was thinking that someone might say its too high? I was about to smash it down a bit, since it's a wire frame - but the heating pad goes all the way down both sides and I noticed that they found their way to a warm back corner where they get the warm side and the top, so.... ?? Think I can leave it or should I make it shorter? The room temp is about 70 and I estimate it's about 85 under there. They're out alot and not acting cold at all. Just seems so true that the extreme temps were never necessary...

I’m trying to figure out if you’re using a “heated blanket” or a heating pad. In one post you used “blanket” but in the second you said “heating pad”. In the photo it does look like a blanket and like it’s up kinda high, and having them all the way toward the back would support that. But you say they are running in and out and behaving normally. I’m wondering if that’s because of the light. With MHP lower, at their backs, any additional heat is unnecessary, and it actually defeats one of the bonuses of using this system - natural day/night cycles. You have the basics down very well and obviously you are also really good at monitoring their behavior. So I think with a little fine tuning you’ll be golden.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I’m trying to figure out if you’re using a “heated blanket” or a heating pad. In one post you used “blanket” but in the second you said “heating pad”. In the photo it does look like a blanket and like it’s up kinda high, and having them all the way toward the back would support that. But you say they are running in and out and behaving normally. I’m wondering if that’s because of the light. With MHP lower, at their backs, any additional heat is unnecessary, and it actually defeats one of the bonuses of using this system - natural day/night cycles. You have the basics down very well and obviously you are also really good at monitoring their behavior. So I think with a little fine tuning you’ll be golden.

Thanks so much for the feedback! I'm sorry that I said blanket, that is indeed confusing, I was pretty dang excited to be back here on BYC It's a Sunbeam Heating Pad with 3 settings. I took your advice and just squished it down lower. Now the top is flat. I read another post somewhere that suggested a 65 watt bulb instead of a 220watt heat lamp and it's really dark inside due to the layers of old horse blanket in and burlap on top of - what I've been calling the mama hut, but possibly it's good enough to have earned the MHP label now I will happily shut that 65watter down however! I'm just thrilled over this invention. Last night I grabbed them, placed them under momma, turned all lights off and said good night and they stayed under there quietly all night until I woke them up early this morning with. Really cool! You've been on BYC for a long time, thank you so much for taking the time to help me out!!!

 

[Blooie]

Thanks so much for the feedback! I'm sorry that I said blanket, that is indeed confusing, I was pretty dang excited to be back here on BYC It's a Sunbeam Heating Pad with 3 settings. I took your advice and just squished it down lower. Now the top is flat. I read another post somewhere that suggested a 65 watt bulb instead of a 220watt heat lamp and it's really dark inside due to the layers of old horse blanket in and burlap on top of - what I've been calling the mama hut, but possibly it's good enough to have earned the MHP label now I will happily shut that 65watter down however! I'm just thrilled over this invention. Last night I grabbed them, placed them under momma, turned all lights off and said good night and they stayed under there quietly all night until I woke them up early this morning with. Really cool! You've been on BYC for a long time, thank you so much for taking the time to help me out!!!

You are so very welcome! It's what we do here...it's why this thread remains so active. We don't get snarky but we do try to be honest with folks when something seems "off" and explain why. Sometimes we just come out and say that something probably won't work, and then once in awhile lo and behold it does and we all learn something new! And for the most part, people like you who come in with their setups, and then take suggestions without getting defensive or angry keeps that willingness to help going.

With my setup, I just tried to keep things as natural as possible. Threadbare towel covered in Press 'n' Seal so they had place to cuddle on top, and just straw or pine shavings underneath. No lights - when the sun went down, they went to bed. When the sun came back up, they came out raring to go. The purpose for the thin towel was to help keep the heating pad a little cleaner - it wasn't there for insulation or anything scientific - just to give them a spot to climb up on and protect the pad. It does probably insulate a little bit, but that wasn't why it was there in the first place. So you might not even need burlap and the horse blanket.

I'm so glad you joined us! Shoot, I haven't been on BYC that long - just hit my 4 year mark on the 24 of Feb, but it sure FEELS longer! So many good friends, so many good ideas, and so much support here!

 

[Birdinhand]

So my CX have been doing quite well except for a little transition stress, woke up at 6:30 and cheked on them and all was fine, by 9:30 I went out to check again and 7 were flat out laying lifeless. it was a bit shocking. I scooped them up and got them inside to see if any would come back, only 2 revived. I'm not sure what happened except I am brooding outside, north face of a hill, great for summer but apparently it's more damp and cold than they can handle in the first day or so. I'll have to make a few notes for course correction next time.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

You are so very welcome! It's what we do here...it's why this thread remains so active. We don't get snarky but we do try to be honest with folks when something seems "off" and explain why. Sometimes we just come out and say that something probably won't work, and then once in awhile lo and behold it does and we all learn something new! And for the most part, people like you who come in with their setups, and then take suggestions without getting defensive or angry keeps that willingness to help going.

With my setup, I just tried to keep things as natural as possible. Threadbare towel covered in Press 'n' Seal so they had place to cuddle on top, and just straw or pine shavings underneath. No lights - when the sun went down, they went to bed. When the sun came back up, they came out raring to go. The purpose for the thin towel was to help keep the heating pad a little cleaner - it wasn't there for insulation or anything scientific - just to give them a spot to climb up on and protect the pad. It does probably insulate a little bit, but that wasn't why it was there in the first place. So you might not even need burlap and the horse blanket.

I'm so glad you joined us! Shoot, I haven't been on BYC that long - just hit my 4 year mark on the 24 of Feb, but it sure FEELS longer! So many good friends, so many good ideas, and so much support here!

I know you've been humble about this invention not originating with you but seriously "someone" should patent and market it... When I picked up my chicks from a local store where just standing in the chicken room around about 10 heat lamps made me want to faint, I talked to their "chicken lady," who is known locally as the authority around this area, she asked me if I had a heat lamp and handed me the care instructions that says "90 to 95*" and I told her yes I do have a heating lamp but I'm not going to use it. I've instead built this MHP. And she asked me to let her know how it works out because she's heard of it and willing to try new tricks. The store alone could save tons on power and give their chicks a better start with fewer "infirmary" patients.

I've had my good ole Sunbeam for about 15 years, using it to germinate seedlings in spring so i want to keep it protected like you do. It's got dual purpose now! I'm keeping my flock small this time - 3 now (RIR, Buff, BR) and then 2 more started lavender O pullets in a few weeks. I'm sure I'll be on here regularly in search of advice, I'm open to all of it! This place helped through a bumblefoot surgery and kinds of stuff my first time around. Thanks again!!

 

[Blooie]

So my CX have been doing quite well except for a little transition stress, woke up at 6:30 and cheked on them and all was fine, by 9:30 I went out to check again and 7 were flat out laying lifeless. it was a bit shocking. I scooped them up and got them inside to see if any would come back, only 2 revived. I'm not sure what happened except I am brooding outside, north face of a hill, great for summer but apparently it's more damp and cold than they can handle in the first day or so. I'll have to make a few notes for course correction next time.

I am so sorry! It stinks when we lose them, especially when we think they're doing well.

I've had my good ole Sunbeam for about 15 years, using it to germinate seedlings in spring so i want to keep it protected like you do. It's got dual purpose now! I'm keeping my flock small this time - 3 now (RIR, Buff, BR) and then 2 more started lavender O pullets in a few weeks. I'm sure I'll be on here regularly in search of advice, I'm open to all of it! This place helped through a bumblefoot surgery and kinds of stuff my first time around. Thanks again!!

<sigh> I hate coming back to your posts with "yeah buts", but.....please keep a sharp eye on your heating pad. One thing we do know is that in old pads the heating element wires inside can become brittle and develop small cracks or even breaks in them, which can result in the pad shorting out and possibly causing a fire. When explaining MHP to folks who haven't used it before I always try to stress not to just grab an old heating pad from the back of the closet somewhere, and that's been talked about several times on this thread. Not saying it will happen, and not telling you to run out and buy a new pad immediately - I just want you to be aware that it has been an issue and since one of MHP's jobs is to prevent fires, we don't want it to become otherwise.

Okay, I'm going back into my corner now.....