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

[aart]

blanket is between the pad and wire

The blanket is likely keeping the heat from coming thru.
Best to have nothing between the pad and the chicks.
Post pics of the assembly?

it's only 64° under the pad

Pads/plates work by the chicks touching their back to the heated surface. Much different than a heat lamp.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I can add hay if needed

No hay needed

I did welded wire

I also use welded wire for mine, the pad is bungeed to the underneath with a cheap kitchen towel on top that drapes over a bit. You've got to many layers blocking the heating pad. As @aart said they need to touch their backs directly to the heating pad. What heating pad do you have? Be sure it doesn't have auto shutoff

 

[jreardon1918]

I agree with removing some layers. I use a bit of duck tape to attach the pad to the frame. Then cover it in a pillowcase or towel At the end of the brooding cycle I wash or throw out the pillowcase. As long as the underside of the MHP is warm to your touch and their backs can make contact with it, it will work like a broody.

 

[Goth_RAD]

No hay needed

I also use welded wire for mine, the pad is bungeed to the underneath with a cheap kitchen towel on top that drapes over a bit. You've got to many layers blocking the heating pad. As @aart said they need to touch their backs directly to the heating pad. What heating pad do you have? Be sure it doesn't have auto shutoff

So between the pad and chicks would be a pillowcase a thin garbage bag then the pad. The pad has a stay on function.

 

[fuzzi]

So between the pad and chicks would be a pillowcase a thin garbage bag then the pad. The pad has a stay on function.

Why a garbage bag?

Nothing between the chicks and the pad except an old pillowcase.

Underside of the MHP

The MHP needs to be low enough to the ground so chicks can press their backs up against it.

And leave an escape for chicks in the back, they can get squished by the others if the back wall is solid.

 

[Goth_RAD]

Why a garbage bag?

Nothing between the chicks and the pad except an old pillowcase.
View attachment 4047566
View attachment 4047567
Underside of the MHP

The MHP needs to be low enough to the ground so chicks can press their backs up against it.

And leave an escape for chicks in the back, they can get squished by the others if the back wall is solid.
View attachment 4047569

I saw in a different thread about wrapping the pad in a garbage bag. But I can take it off.

 

[fuzzi]

I saw in a different thread about wrapping the pad in a garbage bag. But I can take it off.

As others have said, you don't want too many layers between the heating pad and your chicks.

Also, not sure if it was mentioned, but the MHP needs to be low enough so the chicks can put their backs against it to warm up. My MHP was attached to a piece of coated wire fencing, so I was able to bend it higher as the chicks grew.

 

[WingItRanch]

I'm going to attempt to use MHP this year for brooding. I'm getting 6 chicks this weekend. Here's a pic of my brooder (which will be outside under a covered porch).

My idea is put an old pillow case on the heating pad and to use zip ties to secure it to this stand. The stand is adjustable both ways. I might flip it upside down to make sure it's low enough. The heating bad will secured underneath the stand and kind of hang down the back so the chicks can lean against it but both sides will be open. Then I'll put a towel overtop to make a cave.

Open to suggestions! Does this sound ok? We're having some crazy weather here so hopefully it's not too cold for this method.

 

[fuzzi]

I'm going to attempt to use MHP this year for brooding. I'm getting 6 chicks this weekend. Here's a pic of my brooder (which will be outside under a covered porch).
View attachment 4048513

My idea is put an old pillow case on the heating pad and to use zip ties to secure it to this stand. The stand is adjustable both ways. I might flip it upside down to make sure it's low enough. The heating bad will secured underneath the stand and kind of hang down the back so the chicks can lean against it but both sides will be open. Then I'll put a towel overtop to make a cave.
View attachment 4048514
View attachment 4048515

Open to suggestions! Does this sound ok? We're having some crazy weather here so hopefully it's not too cold for this method.
View attachment 4048516

I did my outside brooding in February, in a wire dog crate with cardboard bumpers to block wind. The temperature went below freezing but the chicks thrived.

My Timeline is here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-27236743

 

[fuzzi]

Commentary on my thread:

They will probably be fine as long as they have plenty of bedding underneath them and the heating pad cave is where they can snuggle under.
You do want to make sure their cave can't "collapse", but when I've used heating pad caves and it's going to be cold, I put another towel on top, then add some straw or shavings as extra "insulation". I've had chicks outside when the temps were in the 20s and they were good to go, they'd come out eat/drink/play in the unheated areas, then run under the pad for a warm and to take naps.

You want to be home to let them out. While chicks usually are pretty good at finding their way back to heat/food/water, it's best to be around until you are confident they can.