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

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TJAnonymous said:
Actually I have ordered 12 Silkie hatching eggs so I hope it is an oversight I will rectify this year...

Puppy pads.... Didn't think about that! I have puppy pads! Do you use them instead of shavings?
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I do at first, like a week or so. I see aart had problems with them, but I loved them. Kept everything dry and were soooo easy to change. I wrapped my MHP in them, too.

You can always try them, watch closely, and switch to something else if you need.
 
redrobynlane said:
Hi! I'm trying to do this when we get our new chicks here shortly! (I'm an early season chick person!). Do you think this would work for a larger number of chicks by simply increasing the heating pad size and thereofre being able to "warm" as many as 50-60-or more? Or do you think that becomes problematic in terms of chicks getting "stuck" at the back or in the middle. i'm looking at a heating pad 12x24 or possibly a seedling mat that's 20x48 (still used overhead like the pad). Thoughts?
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Well, "they" sell heat platforms designed for chicks that advertises for +60- chicks, so I don't know why a heating pad that size wouldn't work, I'd just be sure they have an exit out the back so no one gets stuck in the corner.
 
So we are only getting a very small number of chicks - 3 I think? (Pray for me when I see all the babies!) Will that affect how well this works? I am planning to use a 9x9 inch heating pad since there won't be many of them needing heater space.

Also, my initial plan was to put a 12x18 wire cooling rack in the corner of the plastic storage bin I'm using the first couple weeks. It's the only wire thing with built-in legs I could think of. I'd then put the heating pad on the corner side and cover the whole rack to create a long skinny "mama hen" cave with the back heated. Is that a bad idea? Do I need a smaller rack?

I've (obviously) never gotten newborn chicks before...this heat lamp alternative is what talked me into it. But I want to make sure it will work before I go get my babies! :)
 
AmeliaBedelia said:
Also, my initial plan was to put a 12x18 wire cooling rack in the corner of the plastic storage bin I'm using the first couple weeks. It's the only wire thing with built-in legs I could think of. I'd then put the heating pad on the corner side and cover the whole rack to create a long skinny "mama hen" cave with the back heated. Is that a bad idea? Do I need a smaller rack?
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"Long skinny" is a red flag for me, don't want them trapped.
Might need a bigger brooder, they should have exit access on at least 2 sides of pad.
 
I only have 2 chicks in the brooder right now. I used the MHP method for the first time with these chicks and it has been wonderful. I used a 12x24 XL Sunbeam heating pad. Underneath I made a "cave" from a piece 2" x 4" wire fence. My cave is only open in the front but it is as wide as the tub so there is a lot of room underneath. I allowed the cave to close in the back so they could snuggle back there since there were only 2 of them. It worked out great.... I also laid puppy pads on top of the shavings for the first week which also worked out perfectly for me.

20210127_102833.jpg
 

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