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

[bruceha2000]

Because if she sat in the nest box for weeks waiting for the fake eggs to hatch she’d die. My understanding of the normal process of hatching eggs the hen will sit tight for a few days until they start to develop. After that they will leave the nest daily to eat, drink and do personal hygiene. When the eggs are a few days from hatching the hen will sit tight again. Since the fake eggs will never start developing she wouldn't move to stage 2.

They arrived home at 7:30. 2 Black Australorps, 2 Blue Ameraucana (the very light one is a Blue, she must be a splash) 1 Silver Laced Wyandotte and 1 Gold Laced Wyandotte

 

[TexasLisa]

They are certainly cute Bruce! Good luck in raising them.

 

[bruceha2000]

Given this is the MHP thread I should post a picture of the chicks and their in the house brooder. Note the Grogel I moved on top of the cave. Meyer included it free but as with prior chicks when I’ve paid for it the chicks pretty much ignored it. I think only 2 tried it, all have found the starter crumbles.

Note also that these chicks are going to drop dead because it is just under 80°F in the house and we all KNOW chicks need 95°F ambient the first week

 

[CaroleW]

THANK YOU ALL for this thread - I've just saved over $50 by finding out how to make instead of buy another heat plate for a second brooder. I'm going to use the heating pad I already have for seed starting - they stay on all the time - they also have an option for a temp controller (that i don't have).

VIVOSUN heating pad on amzn ... www.amazon.com/dp/B015PD8I7I/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B015PD8I7I&pd_rd_w=3alpv&pf_rd_p=887084a2-5c34-4113-a4f8-b7947847c308&pd_rd_wg=sam0C&pf_rd_r=KPH25NBZ32H22DPSJP2V&pd_rd_r=f49d9f0c-d10e-4fa4-a5cd-3055b678d262&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzQkExMVRZUjEyWDhCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTM1NDY4MUZZTkVRNFNZTTBUViZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDk5ODU2MzlMME0xVzc0VUlJQyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

[aart]

heating pad I already have for seed starting

IME, those don't get warm enough.
Use an infrared temp gauge to check surface temp, should be 100-120°F

 

[wyoDreamer]

Going to the website that was quoted for the heat mat:
"-Innovative Heating: With radiate far-infrared light wave, making the heat source softer, and providing enough heat, it can be heated up to 40 ℃（104℉）at an ambient temperature of 20-25 ℃（68-77℉）in minutes; Recommended for use with VIVOSUN's thermostat"

With the recommended thermostat, it has a good chance of working alright. Depends on the ambient temps were the brooder is located.

My last batch of chicks found the highest setting on my heating pad to be too hot and slept around the edges and on top of the towel for the first night - I found them like that in the morning and turned it down a notch and they all went in and out the next day.

 

[CaroleW]

Going to the website that was quoted for the heat mat:
"-Innovative Heating: With radiate far-infrared light wave, making the heat source softer, and providing enough heat, it can be heated up to 40 ℃（104℉）at an ambient temperature of 20-25 ℃（68-77℉）in minutes; Recommended for use with VIVOSUN's thermostat"

With the recommended thermostat, it has a good chance of working alright. Depends on the ambient temps were the brooder is located.

My last batch of chicks found the highest setting on my heating pad to be too hot and slept around the edges and on top of the towel for the first night - I found them like that in the morning and turned it down a notch and they all went in and out the next day.

I have to check temp with infra red when DH gets home and he tells me where it is. I have a meat thermometer now that reads about 115 F in contact with the Vivosun pad. I'm inside so the room where I have brooder is 84 F right now. I may order the thermostat controller just in case.

 

[Blooie]

Honeys, I’m hooooo-ooome!

 

[azygous]

Hi Blooie!

 

[NotAFarm]

@Blooie
Long time, no see!
Great to see you back!