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

[Chixchik]

Bravo!! This has happened to me for the past 2 years. I TRY to switch over FROM MHP to a plate but I have switched BACK to MHP each time. I just can't get the plate to resemble what I want and I feel like the particular plate that I bought is to hot! It's a fire hazard if I wrap in a pillow case or have it up against wood shavings or hay, pretty much all of the things I do with MHP. LOVE your setup!

I’m excited to keep this up! This group is GREAT! Thanks for the encouragement!! Thanks again!

 

[bruceha2000]

the “Chicken Mansion” my dear wonderful handy husband built for me

Fabulous build (tell him I said so ) A little fancy but not stupid fancy. Clearly well thought out and constructed.

I TRY to switch over FROM MHP to a plate

Why would you want to do that given you've already seen how well MHP works?

 

[RoyalChick]

I just got ten new day oId chicks last week (my second time raising chicks). My first ever hens (13 lovely ladies) are a year old and are doing well in the “Chicken Mansion” my dear wonderful handy husband built for me (not necessarily for them!! )

So not to drag this out… I’ve been HOPING to raise my chicks as naturally as possible and I saw this thread and Azygous’ essay so with her encouragement and direction and all of your WONDERFUL advice and photos, we JUST last night made our first ever “Mama’s Heating Pad den/nest” and put it in their indoor brooder last night!!! After about 20-30 minutes (and enticement with putting their food right next to it) they took to it, “survived” the night (actually I survived the night ) and they are loving it!!! Thriving!

Our first chicks last season were under a red heat lamp and brooder plates. I quickly realized I didn’t need the heat lamp and removed it. THIS year I only used the brooder plates until last night when we switched to our “MHP” my husband so kindly helped me with!!

This year I’ve had NO pasty butt and the chicks seem so healthy and active! We plan to transition them to the outdoor coop in a partitioned off safe space immediately after the Easter weekend. I’m a NERVOUS WRECK because it’s MINNESOTA and our coop/run has electricity but is not heated. But I’m going to keep researching your wonderful advice and go for it!!

Any words of wisdom for this Minnesota mama would be welcomed!! Thanks again for all the fabulous posts and wisdom and great photos!!! Here are some of mine! Ps I don’t have any WINTER pix of our coop/run but we wrapped the run in clear/opaque plastic so it’s out of the wind/weather.

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What a lovely coop and run - your hubby did a wonderful job.
I use a heated plate and am in New Jersey so probably not quite as cold - so I can't help you at all, but I had to pop in just to say how nice I think your set-up is.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Why would you want to do that given you've already seen how well MHP works?

The "why" is a little complicated... My OLD original OG Sunbeam is possibly a fire hazard. It's been the absolute perfect MHP for me for a very long time. No shut off, perfect temp. SO I got a new Sunbeam, option to stay on. Well it doesn't get as warm as the old one, it just doesn't. So then I got a plate. It's actually too hot, even for my outdoor brooder, no thanks. So I'm still using my old Sunbeam. I've been advised year after year to stop using it due to the potential fire hazard of old brittle wires. But so far, I have not been able to replace it. I keep trying but I don't know how many heating pad fail's I'm willing to go through.

 

[bruceha2000]

Well it doesn't get as warm as the old one, it just doesn't.

But does it get hot enough for the chicks?? Using the old:

• If they won't go in - too hot
• If they won't come out - too cold
• If they go in and out - JUST RIGHT!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

But does it get hot enough for the chicks?? Using the old:

• If they won't go in - too hot
• If they won't come out - too cold
• If they go in and out - JUST RIGHT!

I think we're saying the same thing. The NEW one not hot enough. The OLD one, perfect. Happy in and out chicks, 15years of happy chicks with old one.

 

[Chixchik]

Fabulous build (tell him I said so ) A little fancy but not stupid fancy. Clearly well thought out and constructed.


Why would you want to do that given you've already seen how well MHP works?

Thanks so much! I’ll pass that on! He’s really talented! I can think of ideas but he can make them happen!

 

[Chixchik]

What a lovely coop and run - your hubby did a wonderful job.
I use a heated plate and am in New Jersey so probably not quite as cold - so I can't help you at all, but I had to pop in just to say how nice I think your set-up is.

Thanks so much!!! I have a heated plate that I think we will add just in case and only turn it on at night.

 

[Chixchik]

The "why" is a little complicated... My OLD original OG Sunbeam is possibly a fire hazard. It's been the absolute perfect MHP for me for a very long time. No shut off, perfect temp. SO I got a new Sunbeam, option to stay on. Well it doesn't get as warm as the old one, it just doesn't. So then I got a plate. It's actually too hot, even for my outdoor brooder, no thanks. So I'm still using my old Sunbeam. I've been advised year after year to stop using it due to the potential fire hazard of old brittle wires. But so far, I have not been able to replace it. I keep trying but I don't know how many heating pad fail's I'm willing to go through.

I can understand your reasoning!!! Our heating pad we bought specifically for the MHP isn’t nearly as hot as our ancient heating pads (the ones we still use on ourselves… those old ones get hot but oh so lovely for our muscles!!!) BUT I will say that I measured the temperature underneath the MHP we built with the new sunbeam and it read 82ish!!! So it still works!!! Just to encourage you!

 

[Chixchik]

Fabulous build (tell him I said so ) A little fancy but not stupid fancy. Clearly well thought out and constructed.


Why would you want to do that given you've already seen how well MHP works?

Ps… the fanciness of the coop was for ME!