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

[bruceha2000]

Does the Cave design have an opening in the back? I think the cave design will work better for me once I get them moved outside. But I wasn’t sure if it was open in the back. Doesn’t look like it.

I think to an extent it also depends on how many chicks you have. If a lot, it is good to have a "back door" so they don't have to push through a bunch of others to get out. A hen has front doors, back doors, side doors If you only have a few, that back door isn't really necessary.

 

[Leigti]

I will have five chicks so I think it will be OK to not have a back door.

 

[ChxLadyCass]

Saddest day! Went on vacation and came back to 6 squished baby chicks under the MHP and 6 still alive. I'm guessing 6 were on top and squished the others? I followed all the instructions from the site, hardware cloth, etc. and raised it before I left. My brother checked on them Friday and they were all still ok. Major bummer. Tips to avoid this?

 

[blackdog043]

I use a baking cooling rack to put my heating pad on. I used four 6 inch long carriage bolts with washers and nuts so I can adjust the height.

 

[ChxLadyCass]

I use a baking cooling rack to put my heating pad on. I used four 6 inch long carriage bolts with washers and nuts so I can adjust the height. View attachment 1294222

That's super doable! Thank you!!

 

[Blooie]

I'd put them and the pad out, but then I'm kinda gutsy that way. Set up MHP, turn the heat up a notch, and then watch them off and on through the day. You'll probably find that they are terrified at first and will huddle together for security, then start exploring almost non-stop. If they are adapting well, I'd leave them with the pad up for the first night, then drop it back down the second day and leave it there for a day or so. Mine are outside and the pad is on the lowest or second lowest setting by this age, and off all heat by the end of the 4th week.

NOTE: I am NOT familiar with using pads that have "low, med, hi" settings. I can fine tune mine a little better, having settings 1-6. So if I'm off base here, will someone with a pad that has the same settings as @BBZZZZTT has chime in? I don't want to give bad advice.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

I'd put them and the pad out, but then I'm kinda gutsy that way. Set up MHP, turn the heat up a notch, and then watch them off and on through the day. You'll probably find that they are terrified at first and will huddle together for security, then start exploring almost non-stop. If they are adapting well, I'd leave them with the pad up for the first night, then drop it back down the second day and leave it there for a day or so. Mine are outside and the pad is on the lowest or second lowest setting by this age, and off all heat by the end of the 4th week.

NOTE: I am NOT familiar with using pads that have "low, med, hi" settings. I can fine tune mine a little better, having settings 1-6. So if I'm off base here, will someone with a pad that has the same settings as @BBZZZZTT has chime in? I don't want to give bad advice.

Thats pretty much what I did bringing them into the basement. They were all huddled under for a while so I wasn't sure if they were cold or just scared and hiding.
I actually own the digital Sunbeam as well and from what I can tell the High setting on my mhp is slightly less hot than 6 on the digital. That's just from touching it though.
I suppose it doesn't hurt to just put them out and watch closely. Of course now the weather forecast for this weekend dropped 5° all around 9.9

 

[ChxLadyCass]

View attachment 1294215 Saddest day! Went on vacation and came back to 6 squished baby chicks under the MHP and 6 still alive. I'm guessing 6 were on top and squished the others? I followed all the instructions from the site, hardware cloth, etc. and raised it before I left. My brother checked on them Friday and they were all still ok. Major bummer. Tips to avoid this?

I had a thought today and wanted to share in case anyone else uses this post! I realized that I have 12 chicks in there, and I usually brood 6 or less at a time. I didn't account for all that extra weight!! I hate that trial and error with chickens sometimes ends in loss of life. Poor babies.

 

[Minky]

Hi folks
I have a MHP set up for my baby chick (3 more to come on Friday). they will all be same age (about 10 days old). MHP is working great, but I have to say- she is not under it much. at night i put her under and block her in there til she settles (maybe 2 minutes), and other than that I only see her go in once or twice A DAY!!her nursery is right here in the living room with us, and we play with her a lot, and she loves it. is this normal? that she is only under there a couple times a day?
Also- its the sunbeam king size that is recommended by this thread..and ive had it on high (6) but ive turned it down to 5. Could it be too warm?
thanks

 

[bruceha2000]

In the house? Most definitely. Probably doesn't need to be higher than 3, maybe 4. My guess is that during the day she is sitting on top if she wants to warm up some, probably too warm in the cave. They will do that during the day even if the cave is "just right", same as they will on top of a hen.