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

[aart]

Do you need to confine them to a smaller area at first to keep them from getting lost?

It would be a good idea to do that.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum! Glad you joined!

Also I’m planning on building a hoop coop and was thinking about possibly putting them in it from day 1. Would it be too big for them as small chicks? it’s going to be 8’ by 12’ish.

Where are you located? My interest is in your weather when you plan to do this. How cold or hot will it be?

I put chicks straight from the incubator or post office into my 3' x 6' brooder in the coop, even in winter. They don't have trouble but I use a heat lamp. I don't think that experience transfers to heating pads. I agree with Aart, it is probably a good idea to restrict them to a smaller are. I'd consider an area big enough for the heating pad, food, and water and not much else. After two or three days I'd open it up but I may have more faith in my chickens than many others. Your weather factors into this too.

It also won’t have a floor would it be ok to put the mhp in the nesting boxes or is that a bad idea?

As long as you do not have any adults needing the nests I don't see that as an issue. They will be out of there long before they start laying. But how big is the nest? Is it going to be big enough for the heating pad, food, and water?

Should I build a platform to put it on? I’m mostly worried if it rains water going into the hoop coop and chilling the mhp.

A legitimate concern. You are dealing with electronics, you want to keep them dry. You do not want the chicks or the brooder to get wet. Water flowing on the ground might be a concern. Rainwater blowing in from any opening could be a problem.

Another concern, they need protection from blowing winds where they sleep. When they are awake they need the ability to get out of the wind if they want to. If it is a cool wind they will want out of it. Adult fully feathered chickens do not like cold winds.

 

[HRoseY]

Hi, welcome to the forum! Glad you joined!


Where are you located? My interest is in your weather when you plan to do this. How cold or hot will it be?

I put chicks straight from the incubator or post office into my 3' x 6' brooder in the coop, even in winter. They don't have trouble but I use a heat lamp. I don't think that experience transfers to heating pads. I agree with Aart, it is probably a good idea to restrict them to a smaller are. I'd consider an area big enough for the heating pad, food, and water and not much else. After two or three days I'd open it up but I may have more faith in my chickens than many others. Your weather factors into this too.


As long as you do not have any adults needing the nests I don't see that as an issue. They will be out of there long before they start laying. But how big is the nest? Is it going to be big enough for the heating pad, food, and water?


A legitimate concern. You are dealing with electronics, you want to keep them dry. You do not want the chicks or the brooder to get wet. Water flowing on the ground might be a concern. Rainwater blowing in from any opening could be a problem.

Another concern, they need protection from blowing winds where they sleep. When they are awake they need the ability to get out of the wind if they want to. If it is a cool wind they will want out of it. Adult fully feathered chickens do not like cold winds.

Thank you so much for your response! Yeah that’s also what I’m a bit concerned about. I live in North Carolina and I’m getting them the first week of March. I’m planning on building this coop and might do the winterization they recommended closing off one of the wire sides right away depending on the weather. https://www.cottonriverfarm.com/store/p/hoopcoopplans. It should hopefully be getting pretty nice by then since our cold season normally ends feb 29ish. But could still be somewhat cold. Will definitely keep an eye on the forecast as it gets closer. The nesting box will be 20” wide and 30” long. Community nesting box style. Not sure if it would be big enough but would be much more sheltered. Also considering putting a large dog crate in the pen with cardboard along the sides.

 

[Molpet]

Thank you so much for your response! Yeah that’s also what I’m a bit concerned about. I live in North Carolina and I’m getting them the first week of March. I’m planning on building this coop and might do the winterization they recommended closing off one of the wire sides right away depending on the weather. https://www.cottonriverfarm.com/store/p/hoopcoopplans. It should hopefully be getting pretty nice by then since our cold season normally ends feb 29ish. But could still be somewhat cold. Will definitely keep an eye on the forecast as it gets closer. The nesting box will be 12” wide and 30” long. Community nesting box style. Not sure if it would be big enough but would be much more sheltered. Also considering putting a large dog crate in the pen with cardboard along the sides.

There's a lot of cattle panel hoop coops posted in the coop section
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/top-10-hoop-coop-ideas.76490/

 

[Ridgerunner]

The nesting box will be 20” wide and 30” long.

For 6 chicks it should be plenty of room.

 

[HRoseY]

For 6 chicks it should be plenty of room.

Great thanks! I think I’ll go ahead and plan on using it then. Thanks for the assistance!

 

[fuzzi]

Hi! This is quite the thread.
Looks like a great method. I just have a few questions that I couldn’t quite find. I’m sure it’s out there somewhere but is a 12”by15” heating pad big enough for 6 chicks?
Also I’m planning on building a hoop coop and was thinking about possibly putting them in it from day 1. Would it be too big for them as small chicks? it’s going to be 8’ by 12’ish. It also won’t have a floor would it be ok to put the mhp in the nesting boxes or is that a bad idea? Should I build a platform to put it on? I’m mostly worried if it rains water going into the hoop coop and chilling the mhp. I can also brood them on the covered back porch if that would be safer for the first few weeks. Any suggestions are appreciated!

I created a MHP and brooded my chicks outside in a hoop coop, BUT their brooder was a wire dog crate covered with hardware cloth..

I'm including a link to my coop timeline, with links to specific posts listed. You might get your questions answered, or just some ideas there:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-27236743

Have fun!

P.S. Howdee neighbor! I'm in eastern NC.

 

[HRoseY]

I created a MHP and brooded my chicks outside in a hoop coop, BUT their brooder was a wire dog crate covered with hardware cloth..

I'm including a link to my coop timeline, with links to specific posts listed. You might get your questions answered, or just some ideas there:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-27236743

Have fun!
View attachment 4039183

P.S. Howdee neighbor! I'm in eastern NC.

Thanks! That is super helpful. Did you use the hardware cloth to add extra protection from predators?

 

[fuzzi]

Thanks! That is super helpful. Did you use the hardware cloth to add extra protection from predators?

Yes. We have every predator here except bears and big cats, I didn't want to lose my birds due to cutting corners.

 

[Goth_RAD]

Hey, I'm wondering if someone can help me. I'm setting up my brooder in the coop with a momma heat pad. I don't have chicks yet but I'm trying to troubleshoot before I get them. So I absolutely have to brood in the coop this year. But I have pine shavings down on the floor in the space. I can add hay if needed. But I did welded wire with the heat pad have a thermal rescue foil blanket and trash bags covering the pad but the blanket is between the pad and wire to push the heat down. And all that is in a pillowcase with bungee cords to hold it in place. Well I put that in the coop with a towel covering it. And I have a wifi Hygrometer thermometer and it says it's only 64° under the pad with it being on high. How can I raise the temperature? I'm worried it's going to be too cold. As of right now the temps at night can get in the 20's and the days in the 40's. I can take pictures tomorrow if that helps.