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

[wifeyschlegel]

A few weeks? How old will they be then? They are usually fully feathered and not in need of supplemental heat around 4 weeks of age.

Really?! I read that 6-8 weeks old is when they're fully feathered. I just got them Saturday so I'd say they're less than a week old..

 

[bruceha2000]

Usually around 4 weeks, at least for chickens If you got them Saturday (farm store I assume?) they likely hatched about last Wednesday and are a week old.

The ones I got at this time last year were MHP raised in the barn. They were let out into the run (barn alley) daily and by 3 weeks had found the "always open" alpaca door in the north end of the barn. They were outside on their own and knew how to find their way back. Probably didn't drop bread crumbs to do so, they would have eaten them. I figure they just enlarged their traveling area daily and recognized everything on the way, including those two 150 pound alpacas which paid them no mind and vice versa.

As you may guess we are likely cooler at this time of year than you are.

 

[Blooie]

Mine live outdoors in Northwestern Wyoming and at 3 weeks I’m weaning them off heat, by the end of 4 weeks all heat is removed.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Recruited one more for the mama heat pad for Gade today, and it wasn't even me that did it it was my husband.

Mine live outdoors in Northwestern Wyoming and at 3 weeks I’m weaning them off heat, by the end of 4 weeks all heat is removed.

X2, well except for location, lol

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

So proud of my sweet husband. The store he is working in has started carrying chicks this year and he has ended up being responsible for an awful lot of the question and answer, sales, and chick care when the "chick person" is not there . My opinion of her abilities as the "chick person" shall be saved for later date… lol.
Anyway the reason I'm so proud of my husband is that he has become the local spokes person for our beloved mama heat pad. In the last 2 weeks he has walked 3 separate people through the reasoning for, advantages of, and assembly of their very own MHP.

 

[Blooie]

That’s so stinkin’ awesome!!!!

 

[trudyg]

Got my babies yesterday. Had a bit of a glitch because I wasn't home and couldn't do it 'my way', but DH stepped up and took care of it. At first, he thought that the loud peeping meant they were happy, but I told him they were cold and shoo them under the mhp. He called right after that and said they were all under it and asleep. He can't bend over, so he used the feathered end of an arrow and it worked great. When the grands came to look at them at 6 last night, they were all under and asleep. Disappointed to not see them, but I told them come back in a day or so--I didn't want more stress right now. I checked on them several more times last night and every time they were under and asleep. Just went out to put fresh water and feed, all 16 came running out to eat and drink. It's dark out still, but I left the garage light on. So I did that at around 4:15 and now it's 5:30 and most are back under and sleeping, maybe 6 of them are out playing. Soft cheeping, no distress. So far no pasty butt or other issues, but I haven't really picked up each one for inspection. Yesterday was a bit of a zoo around here and just watching I didn't see anything unusual. Tonight after work I'll inspect each of them. Here's my pics

I know that I have a bit of a gap where the heating pad is sagging (I tucked in the flap to prevent a chick from climbing in there. I'm getting ready to put a small bungie cord on that, just didn't want to bother them too early this morning.

 

[bruceha2000]

In the last 2 weeks he has walked 3 separate people through the reasoning for, advantages of, and assembly of their very own MHP.

It is good when people think and take the time to understand things. My 6 have been here just over 24 hours, spent the night in their brooder box on the floor 6' from my head. Didn't hear a thing all night and I woke up several times. OK not totally true, every time I woke up I could hear the spring peepers outside

The girls cheep sometimes but 99.9% of the time they are quiet or making little chipping or peeping noises. Eating, drinking, pooping. Jumping up on the cave. Content little birdies.

 

[aart]

That one chick(not always the same one),
who stands on top of the MHP,
while all the rest are underneath,
and chirps an earsplitting "where are all my buddies!!!",
over and over and over again?
SMH.
Funny, but annoying as hell.

 

[bruceha2000]

I've had success picking that one up and talking to it, then putting it on the floor of the brooder box.

Of course it isn't much different than some of my hens. Everyone will be out ranging around the house. One goes in to lay an egg. When she comes out she screams WHERE IS EVERYONE!!!!! And of course no one answers. You would think that the ones that scream would at least answer the others that do.

For Blooie. They think nothing of jumping off the front even though it is a higher drop than they are tall.