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

[MagistraTn]

And I think 12x24 should work? Once they are even a couple weeks old, you will likely have some that prefer to sleep on top of it, which will basically double the available warm spots. Or you can extend the cookie cooling rack so the edges can be used as well.

My main tips are to make sure a chick can exit all sides if needed, so no one gets trapped and smothered, and cover the pad with something washable since once they start using the top it will be poop city.

Thanks. I had tried to consider where they might get squished…but didn’t think about extra exits. Maybe I should move it away from the wall, so they could go out front and back? That would also make the edges drape out a little further.
I think I’ll leave the brooder plate in there too, so they have options.

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

Thanks. I had tried to consider where they might get squished…but didn’t think about extra exits. Maybe I should move it away from the wall, so they could go out front and back? That would also make the edges drape out a little further.
I think I’ll leave the brooder plate in there too, so they have options.

Yes, definitely move it away from the wall. I plop mine in the middle of one side of the brooder. I put a lightweight fabric over the top and 3 sides to be extra sure there aren’t drafts, but it can easily be walked through if a chick decides they need an emergency exit.

 

[aart]

I think I’ll leave the brooder plate in there too, so they have options.

Put the other plate at the same height and right next to the MHP, they'll want to stay together.

12x24 worked for 16 here...but it wasn't draped.

and cover the pad with something washable since once they start using the top it will be poop city.

....or something disposable, like the cardboard I used.

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

....or something disposable, like the cardboard I used.

Genius! I am using an old burp rag that has definitely seen better days…cardboard might be preferable. Gonna check if we have some handy!

 

[aart]

Genius! I am using an old burp rag that has definitely seen better days…cardboard might be preferable. Gonna check if we have some handy!

12x24 worked for 16 here...but it wasn't draped.

I also used it to avoid the drape beyond the rack:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

 

[MagistraTn]

I also used it to avoid the drape beyond the rack:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

Your set up looked perfect. I just tried to rework it again With cardboard top… Alas, my rack is smaller, which causes bunching at the bolts (seems like a new saying!) and my bungies are bulkier. So, I used cable ties and didn’t want to cut it. I’ll just dispose of the old towel or hose it down. I was trying to keep my spend and accumulated stuff low.

 

[aart]

Your set up looked perfect. I just tried to rework it again With cardboard top… Alas, my rack is smaller, which causes bunching at the bolts (seems like a new saying!) and my bungies are bulkier. So, I used cable ties and didn’t want to cut it. I’ll just dispose of the old towel or hose it down. I was trying to keep my spend and accumulated stuff low.

It took a lot of researching to find a rack that would work....I wanted to avoid 'bunching'.
The mini bungies I got at a hardware store.

So, I used cable ties and didn’t want to cut it.

Cut in to the heating pad?!
Don't do that, very dangerous.

 

[MagistraTn]

It took a lot of researching to find a rack that would work....I wanted to avoid 'bunching'.
The mini bungies I got at a hardware store.


Cut in to the heating pad?!
Don't do that, very dangerous.

i didn’t want to cut the cable ties holding The pad to the rack in my effort to revamp and flatten it out. Sorry, some days I really struggle to communicate online!

 

[aart]

i didn’t want to cut the cable ties holding The pad to the rack in my effort to revamp and flatten it out. Sorry, some days I really struggle to communicate online!

Ohhh, good!

Still best to have the pad smooth, to protect wires inside and not create any gaps the chicks could burrow into.

 

[Chixchik]

I got a new heating pad this year too. The chicks aren’t complaining, but it sure does seem to not stay as hot . I did notice when I tested it on myself that it seems to turn off and back on again (like a gas oven does to maintain temp) - so maybe they have an internal thermostat? Anyway, the hotness will back off slightly for a minute then come back. The old one seemed to just be ONNNNN until you turned it off.

That or this one is defective- still keeping a close eye on it just in case

Well I noticed the same thing in my new sunbeam, as well! Probably the technology now a days.