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

[bruceha2000]

overly worried newbie

You and everyone else with their first chicks!

 

[No More Empty Nest]

Well, good news. They all settled for the night on the roost!!! Diamond firmly between 2 of the others. More than likely nothing I did made any difference and all they needed was a couple nights to figure it all out. So I'll turn the MHP off and maybe leave it sitting there for another night. Then clean it up and pack it away. Thank you all for your advice, this truly is a wonderful site

 

[bruceha2000]

Good news! I bet they haven't gone in their MHP cave for quite some time.

 

[Presnell5]

Hi! I’m aware this is an older thread but I’ve just tried this method and love it!! I used a little wire platform that you use in your kitchen cupboards for plates. It seems to be working great! The chicks are spaced out nicely under there and not making a peep! I’m really likeing this so far. I keep checking though. Still a little nervous that they are too cold. But they’d be screaming right!?

 

[No More Empty Nest]

Hi! I’m aware this is an older thread but I’ve just tried this method and love it!! I used a little wire platform that you use in your kitchen cupboards for plates. It seems to be working great! The chicks are spaced out nicely under there and not making a peep! I’m really likeing this so far. I keep checking though. Still a little nervous that they are too cold. But they’d be screaming right!?

It's a wonderful method! Sounds like they're all comfy to me. And welcome to BYC!

 

[aart]

But they’d be screaming right!?

Yep!

 

[bruceha2000]

Hi! I’m aware this is an older thread but I’ve just tried this method and love it!!

Older only in that it has been going for quite a long while. Still active, still good info!
If your chicks are quiet, they are at the right temperature.
You'll find this "temperature gauge" listed throughout the thread:
"If they won't go in, it is too hot inside"
"If they won't come out, it is too cold inside"
"If they come and go, it is just right"

It won't take long before they will be sitting on top of it, better view I suppose.

 

[Presnell5]

Older only in that it has been going for quite a long while. Still active, still good info!
If your chicks are quiet, they are at the right temperature.
You'll find this "temperature gauge" listed throughout the thread:
"If they won't go in, it is too hot inside"
"If they won't come out, it is too cold inside"
"If they come and go, it is just right"

It won't take long before they will be sitting on top of it, better view I suppose.

Yes after I posted I saw all the recent posts. Very good info. Thank you for the temp gauge. Mine do seem to be mostly staying in so I’m not sure what to do. But they are quiet and come out a little to eat and drink.... I’m thinking of putting a heating pad underneath the box they are in.... what do you think?

 

[bobbi-j]

Yes after I posted I saw all the recent posts. Very good info. Thank you for the temp gauge. Mine do seem to be mostly staying in so I’m not sure what to do. But they are quiet and come out a little to eat and drink... this is just so you know. I’m thinking of putting a heating pad underneath the box they are in.... what do you think?

I think it's unnecessary if the MHP is at the right height. It's important for them to be able to come in contact with the pad when they're under it. I had mine set about 3" in the front and 2 1/2" in the back when I first put them in the coop with it, and had plenty of straw under there, too.

 

[Presnell5]

I think it's unnecessary if the MHP is at the right height. It's important for them to be able to come in contact with the pad when they're under it. I had mine set about 3" in the front and 2 1/2" in the back when I first put them in the coop with it, and had plenty of straw under there, too.

Ok I see. I think mine may be a little too high. They can come in contact with the back but not the front. And of course they mostly lay in the back. I’ll try and fix that and see if that helps.