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No, sorry, that one won't work. You need to have the ability to turn off the auto-off function or the heating pad will turn itself out after about 2 hours. You need it to stay on continuously. This is the one I used. aart was kind enough to post the link on another thread for me.What make and model heating pad do you use? I was looking at this one, is yours similar?
http://amzn.com/B000FGDDI0
It's gonna be fantastic, Leslie! I'd ordered chicks from my usual source to arrive the first week in April, so thought I had plenty of time to finish the Chick Cave in the coop. But then we spotted these, just the breeds I wanted, at a feed store that excels in identifying and housing them (Shipton's Big R) , and ended up coming home with them a little early and cancelling the prior order. That wouldn't have been so bad - it won't take long to get the outside setup done - but Ken ended up in the hospital the night we got home with the chicks. So they are in the house for a few days. He got home late yesterday, still pretty weak but eager to get started.Isn't having the chicks out in the coop great?!?
I'm sorry, I forgot to hit the multi-quote button on your post so your question didn't get answered. If you look at the video link that I posted, you can see that Ms. Lopatin didn't use a dog crate. She just did what I did when I put my little dude outside. Now, he was in a crate at first until the other chickens got used to him. Then we opened the door a bit and wired it so he could fit back inside but they couldn't follow him in. Shortly after that the crate came out completely but the Cave stayed in. Both with and without the crate I piled up straw over the metal frame and heating pad, then dug out a space underneath it for them to run into. I am using the dog crate because right now the babies are in the house (not the original plan as you can see from my previous posts) and their Chick Cave will be contained within a bigger wire enclosure outside. I want them to be around the other adults - seeing them and them seeing the chicks - to make integration into the flock easier. So you don't have to use the dog crate if you don't need to.I love this idea...I have to put my chickens outside but am having issues trying to keep the coop warm enough for the girls. With just a heating lamp and some tarp.
Here's my question. Could I make the cave with just hardware cloth and chicken wire with out the dog farm as I don't have one or press and seal. I am thinking I can use almunim foil instead of the press and seal. There is already a couple cave like shelves in our coop so maybe use that to drape the wire over...
Does the pad come in direct contact with the towels? Going to try this and will take a picture if I can get a successful set up..thanks so much for sharing.
Trying to visualize this with a te-pee shape. I would think the peak would keep the heat too far from the chicks and they wouldn't be able to get up on top where they like to catnap and warm up a bit without going under the cave. As far as getting them to use it, could you tuck some of them underneath and hold your hand in front of the opening, confining them for a minute or so until they notice the darkness and warmth? I didn't run into that issue because I put mine in the crate with the heating pad from their first moment here. And of course, Scout was hatched and under a broody hen until his injury, so it was a natural progression for him.Saw this and put one together so I could put the chicks in the garage...we made it in a tepee shape...they are intrigued by it but the wouldn't go inside....I am hoping they will figure it out....
Trying to visualize this with a te-pee shape. I would think the peak would keep the heat too far from the chicks and they wouldn't be able to get up on top where they like to catnap and warm up a bit without going under the cave. As far as getting them to use it, could you tuck some of them underneath and hold your hand in front of the opening, confining them for a minute or so until they notice the darkness and warmth? I didn't run into that issue because I put mine in the crate with the heating pad from their first moment here. And of course, Scout was hatched and under a broody hen until his injury, so it was a natural progression for him.