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

[Pierce Farm]

 

[Molpet]

some people are having problems finding a pad that doesn't turn off
KiKis found this and posted on another thread

https://www.henryspets.com/no-auto-shutoff-heating-pad/
"No-Auto-Shutoff" Heating Pad Stays on Until You Shut if Off
Basic heating pad with easy-slide switch and no auto-shut-off. Heats to approximately 105° for the comfort and safety of baby mammals.

• Standard size (12" x 15") has 3 heat settings. We recommend "low" for baby mammals (105 degrees).
• Extra-long size (12" x 24") has on-off switch. Heats to 105°.
• Easy-to-use slide controller
• Machine washable cover
• No auto-shutoff. Stays on until you turn it off!

 

[No More Empty Nest]

I used a MHP for my chicks, first time I've had any chicks. They arrived Aug. 21 from the hatchery in great condition. I put them in a large clear plastic bin with a hardware cloth frame on top. They stayed inside the house for 2 weeks, they are bantams so managed to still fit till then, lol. Then they went outside to the newly finished coop with the MHP. I love the MHP method. I wasn't worried putting them outside with it. It was getting down to 50's at night so I turned it up to medium from low. I have a camera in the coop so I could see when they started to sleep farther towards the edge of the pad and then turned it down again. I'm now waiting to see them sleep on the roost to take it out entirely. I have one slow featherer so even though they are 5 weeks old, I don't want to take it out till I see that she's ready. With the cooler temps now she is getting feathers quickly. They do nap on the roost during the day so I'm expecting the big step soon.

 

[biophiliac]

some people are having problems finding a pad that doesn't turn off
KiKis found this and posted on another thread

https://www.henryspets.com/no-auto-shutoff-heating-pad/
"No-Auto-Shutoff" Heating Pad Stays on Until You Shut if Off
Basic heating pad with easy-slide switch and no auto-shut-off. Heats to approximately 105° for the comfort and safety of baby mammals.

• Standard size (12" x 15") has 3 heat settings. We recommend "low" for baby mammals (105 degrees).
• Extra-long size (12" x 24") has on-off switch. Heats to 105°.
• Easy-to-use slide controller
• Machine washable cover
• No auto-shutoff. Stays on until you turn it off!

That looks great! Thought it would be more expensive than the one I got at Wallgreens, but no - $3 less.

 

[Blooie]

I still prefer the Sunbeam X-Press Heat. I got the bigger one from Amazon and the smaller one from Walmart. I can remove the cord, toss the pad part into the washer, lay it flat to dry and then store it flat. Never, ever fold or roll a heating pad that is used anywhere but on your body - you wouldn’t be able to tell if there was an issue because it’s not making contact with you.

 

[bajabirdbrain]

This is our second batch of chicks. Added 3 new easter eggers that we bought from our local Country Store. They are about 3 weeks old and we put them out in a "panic room" 3 days ago inside the regular run with the 10 1.5 yr old girls. They have food, water, toys, AND the Mama Heating Pad. Temps are getting down to the high 40s but the new kids are doing great. We are letting them mingle with the big girls and they run in and out of their "panic room" at will thru a small door. We lock them in at night as the big girls go into their coop for the night.

Blooie and the Mama Heating Pad ROCK! Our girls are so happy and friendly.

 

[Blooie]

I’m so glad to hear this!!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Blooie and the Mama Heating Pad ROCKS!

X2!!!! I made the MHP based on Blooie's and Beekissed's descriptions, and my girls are super well adjusted. No pasty butt. No diarrhea. And I have no fear of fires. And now, at 5 weeks old, my chicks put themselves to bed at night in their coop. The MHP is still in the coop, but the girls began roosting exclusively at about 4 weeks and haven't used it at all. I attribute lot of their success to the MHP not messing with their natural diurnal rhythms.

 

[aart]

I still prefer the Sunbeam X-Press Heat.

Agrees. The only downside to SXP(other than price I guess) is it doesn't come back on after a power outage due to the digital controls.

 

[bajabirdbrain]

Aart="Agrees. The only downside to SXP(other than price I guess) is it doesn't come back on after a power outage due to the digital controls."

In the Pacific Northwest we have frequent power glitches BUT we have many devices in our home that flash or otherwise alert us to a power interruption and the need to reset things. Since the Mama Heating Pad is only used for very young chicks it seems that you would not leave them for long periods of time thus making it easy to monitor conditions, IMO.