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

[Blooie]

Agree! Shipping stress can show up days after they arrive in their new homes, so slow and steady is key. Moistening food for her could be a great idea...often chicks suffering stress are a bit on the dehydrated side, despite us seeing them drink, so getting more fluid in her sure won’t hurt. Keep us posted!

Bobbi, it really only takes once, and it all just clicks and makes so much sense! Since there’s nothing better for raising chicks than a good broody hen, why not make artificially brooding them as close to her way as possible? If a two pound hen can do it with no charts, experts, or books, why do we do it so differently and think we’re doing it better?

 

[Christian Pedersen]

I ran a heat lamp for 2 days (during the day) when I was concerned they were not leaving the MHP to eat or drink (first time chicken owner), but the last few days they have been on only the MHP. Just as the other 1000+ pages say, it works great even with temps in the 40s. Chicks are a week old now and doing great. They even learned how to use the water nipples by themselves

Edit - As is mentioned on several other pages in this thread, you do have to show the chicks how to get under the MHP and stay warm. I had to put them all under it and not them out for a few seconds until they 'got' it.

 

[Farmer Doc]

I have a question for the wonderful experts here...

First an Update: Our goslings and duckling are doing fantastic! They have been outside with the MHP since day two. Frosted that night and they all just got under their momma. We did have one accident. A curious gosling got its head caught up in the cord holding everything up. Must have panicked and we found her the next morning. No other issues at all and I figure thing happen when long necks are at play. They are growing like weeds. Often they are on top and now spend most of the day away from it venturing out and lounging about. They have an out-of-coop playpen they thoroughly enjoy!

The question: We are down to setting 2 on the MHP. Do you go down to 1 for a week and then just turn it off? We have been dropping it one setting a week.

I have some surprise baby chicks coming from some friends next week. Making another MHP is possible but wanted to make sure it was necessary. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Blooie]

I can't remember how old they'd be now, but if they are doing that well without much heat, I'd simply put a fake MHP in there (just an upended box with openings would do as a huddle box) and then get your heating pad and brooder set up for the newbies. You may or may not have to give them a shove to get them under, but you may not if you put it in the same location as the original MHP was. Hope one of our goose raising users will chime in if I'm off base here!

@Christian Pedersen Glad to see you here! Your dues are more than paid with that shot! I can honestly say that not once in 8 batches of chicks have I ever had to nudge them under the heating pad, but as you know many people have.

 

[CuriousQueen]

My chicks are doing great with their mhp. I am so happy I have chicks.
I will have to move them to something bigger. They are in my old finch aviary. .
It is long and narrow, and I want to cuddle chicks
Plus take pictures. They are on the other side right now.
I can’t believe how quiet they are. When at the feed store, those chicks were cheeping a lot. (Plus nasty, that peeved me off!!!)

 

[bruceha2000]

I can’t believe how quiet they are. When at the feed store, those chicks were cheeping a lot.

Yep, that is the distress peep. Once they have their MHP, stress drops a lot and they are either quiet or twitter, trill and chip, no loud cheeping.

I did lose one chick yesterday - I think to pasty butt

Presumably there is less PB with MHP vs heat lamps but it can happen. A couple of my current ones had PB after a couple of days. Repeated applications of warm water on a cotton swab took care of it. Got to hear the distress peep the whole time.

 

[bobbi-j]

Yep, that is the distress peep. Once they have their MHP, stress drops a lot and they are either quiet or twitter, trill and chip, no loud cheeping.


Presumably there is less PB with MHP vs heat lamps but it can happen. A couple of my current ones had PB after a couple of days. Repeated applications of warm water on a cotton swab took care of it. Got to hear the distress peep the whole time.

Yes, the ones I caught and cleaned up were not amused either.

 

[Christian Pedersen]

@Christian Pedersen Glad to see you here! Your dues are more than paid with that shot! I can honestly say that not once in 8 batches of chicks have I ever had to nudge them under the heating pad, but as you know many people have.

May well have been 'first child syndrome' too. I read lots, but wasn't sure exactly what to expect, and wanted to be safe and not sorry. Fortunately the chicks are doing great at about 1.5 weeks old now.

 

[Blooie]

Nope, some chicks are just needy and want to be tucked in. Doesn't matter if you are on your first batch or your hundredth!

 

[bruceha2000]

Tell me about it! I'm pretty sure this group of 6 is the dumbest I've had. Either that or last years batch did the same thing at night and I just didn't know it.

I made them a little "play place" out in the alley. Of course they weren't particularly interested but I expect they will be. Instead they all went back and sat on the MHP cave. Must be somewhat cold, they are all trying to be under the other chicks. Um girls, everyone can't be underneath everyone else!! After a bit a couple went into the cave, the rest flew off the cave over to the food and water.