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

[blackdog043]

By the way, the opening in a MHP cave is usually the long side of the frame.

Yes, I agree with the long side or at least open on two sides. This prevents a chick from getting trapped in the back that wants to get out.
@jjulian812 if you want to keep it that way, which is fine for the number of chicks you have, move it forward about 6 - 8 inches so the chicks can get in or out the other side.

Also if you want to prevent your feed from being billed out into your brooder, make a cardboard tray to set it in. This will contain what they bill out and it won't go to waste. I made this with some cardboard and hot glue. The sides are 1 1/2 inches high.

Edit: Nice brooder set up

 

[jjulian812]

Thanks for your input. I appreciate your help.
That is the long side of the frame. The picture is a little deceiving.

I’ll create an opening at the back though. It never occurred to me one might get trapped in there.

 

[jjulian812]

Some refrigerators actually still come in cardboard boxes?
I made a little "stadium" style of "roosting" bars for my babies, they never used it. Oh well.

By the way, the opening in a MHP cave is usually the long side of the frame.

We just went to an appliance store and got the box. Almost didn’t have room for it in the house though.
I hope to have them out into the coop in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for your help. The opening is on the long side. It’s not a very deep cave, it just looks like it.

They’ve just started jumping up onto the roost. All of them haven’t braved it yet though.

 

[aart]

I’ll create an opening at the back though. It never occurred to me one might get trapped in there.

Yes, it's important that they have egress on at least 2 sides, IMO.
Why mine is flat, more space and better egress.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

 

[jjulian812]

Yes, it's important that they have egress on at least 2 sides, IMO.
Why mine is flat, more space and better egress.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

Mission accomplished. They are bigger now and I was just using a smaller one while they were so small. Now they have the larger, flat one with opening in back as well as front.
Thanks again for your help.

 

[jjulian812]

Yes, it's important that they have egress on at least 2 sides, IMO.
Why mine is flat, more space and better egress.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

Here is the new setup. It may be hard to tell but the back is open as well.

 

[blackdog043]

Looks good, I used 2 x 4's when I first set mine up to raise it. You will have to add another piece of wood as they get bigger. Just on one side might be good, so they can decide where they want to be. If you do add another piece, make sure you nail it to the other one, so it doesn't fall on them.

 

[bruceha2000]

We just went to an appliance store and got the box.

Curious. The last 2 I bought had nothing but cardboard "edgers" and shrink wrap.

 

[HopeSprings]

*I guess I should state that I’m starting back over from scratch. Coyotes broke into the chicken yard and wiped out the entire flock of about 35 birds in less than an hour. I’ve rebuilt, reinforced, and expanded the coop and run. Just a little more work on the chicken yard fence and we’re ready to go.

If you don't mind my asking, how did the coyotes get in? I have coyotes here and plan to build the run out of hardware cloth and make the pop door the only direct access to the coop. (The people door will be in the attached shed.)

 

[bruceha2000]

If you want to keep them out of the run you'll need to apron out some wire fence so they can't dig under. I'd use woven field fencing. Should probably run it up the sides of the run as well. 1/2" hardware cloth will keep coons from reaching in, the woven fencing will make sure the canines can't get to the HC and potentially rip it apart given enough time and desire.