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

[SandyRiverChick]

I confess I keep them in my bathroom for 10 days. I just love having them close fo a little while.

I get it.... And you know, once I see how tiny they are, I just might do that for the first time, but no way for 10days. I just like 2 days to make sure they are thriving. Bathroom is a new option.

 

[junior67]

I get it.... And you know, once I see how tiny they are, I just might do that for the first time, but no way for 10days. I just like 2 days to make sure they are thriving. Bathroom is a new option.

I keep mine inside for about 3-4 days. My 2nd batch last year that I hatched I kept in for about a week. They just looked too tiny to put out in the big coop (that has a brooder under the poop boards). haahaa. The last batch (3rd) that I hatched I gave to my broody so didn't have them in besides when they were hatching.

Not sure what I will do this year. having them broody raised was sooooo easy but I do find the non broody raised ones have been friendlier with me.

 

[janiedoe]

I keep mine inside for about 3-4 days. My 2nd batch last year that I hatched I kept in for about a week. They just looked too tiny to put out in the big coop (that has a brooder under the poop boards). haahaa. The last batch (3rd) that I hatched I gave to my broody so didn't have them in besides when they were hatching.

Not sure what I will do this year. having them broody raised was sooooo easy but I do find the non broody raised ones have been friendlier with me.

My broody raised have been very friendly once they get around 4 months, and some much younger. All of my broody hens are friendly except one. Her chicks take a little longer to warm up to me. I love watching the chicks with a broody. Nothing's cuter.

 

[junior67]

My broody raised have been very friendly once they get around 4 months, and some much younger. All of my broody hens are friendly except one. Her chicks take a little longer to warm up to me. I love watching the chicks with a broody. Nothing's cuter.

most of mine run away from me even the ones that I raised by hand. None are mean and they will all run over to me when I go in but they don't let me pet them or jump up on me. I do have 1 that is always looking to be pet. I let my broodies raise them in the coop/run so it was harder to spend time with the babies as they would just run and hide and had lots of space to do it. I do have one broody raised that I kept from last year and she isn't too bad but seems to keep her distance more.

 

[Ksukristina]

Does anyone have any experience with your heating pad not admitting heat enough to create a warm space? I got a Sunbeam pad that is not auto off and it just doesn’t feel like it’s creating any heat.

 

[NotAFarm]

Does anyone have any experience with your heating pad not admitting heat enough to create a warm space? I got a Sunbeam pad that is not auto off and it just doesn’t feel like it’s creating any heat.

The heating pad does not create heat in a space any more than a hen creates heat in a space. The heating pad, like the hen, is the warmth for the chicks when they are touching her or it. If the heating pad is warm when you put your hand tightly against, it will keep the chicks warm when they are up against it. Keeping it low so they can touch their backs against it is key.

 

[aart]

Does anyone have any experience with your heating pad not admitting heat enough to create a warm space? I got a Sunbeam pad that is not auto off and it just doesn’t feel like it’s creating any heat.

@Ksukristina Show us how you have it set up(pics).
Do you have an infrared temp sensor to check the temp of the surface of pad?

 

[fuzzi]

I made my own MHP this evening!

I used two scrap pieces of coated fencing attached with electrical tape, and a 12"x24" heating pad (that is not supposed to have an auto shutoff) held on with small bungee cords.

Testing it right now.

Someone on BYC said they covered their MHP with a plastic trash bag and then a pillowcase. Anyone else use a plastic bag over the heating pad? I have 2 gallon zip bags and plastic grocery bags that I could use, just want to be safe.

It's on the low setting, and so far is only a little warmer than the back of my hand when I touch the heating pad surface. Warm enough?

 

[Molpet]

then a pillowcase.

I just use a zipper pillow case.


Also that's probably to tall, their backs need to touch. Might be able to build up bedding and sink in

 

[junior67]

I made my own MHP this evening!

View attachment 3418415

View attachment 3418435
I used two scrap pieces of coated fencing attached with electrical tape, and a 12"x24" heating pad (that is not supposed to have an auto shutoff) held on with small bungee cords.

Testing it right now.

Someone on BYC said they covered their MHP with a plastic trash bag and then a pillowcase. Anyone else use a plastic bag over the heating pad? I have 2 gallon zip bags and plastic grocery bags that I could use, just want to be safe.

It's on the low setting, and so far is only a little warmer than the back of my hand when I touch the heating pad surface. Warm enough?

I just use glad press and seal on the top of mine. I start mine on a high setting (the one I have has 1-9 for settings) and as they get older I turn it down until I turn it off.