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

[aart]

Quick question: I have a bunch of wire panels from a modular shelving unit like this one:



Plan is to bend one into the sloping hoop shape for a MHP for 7 chicks arriving next week. I can probably use two heavy pliers in tandem to bend it, but was wondering if there was a better/easier way or tool to get the job done?

Might be able to just bend it with your hands over the edge of a strong table...little bit at time moving it across the panel making lots of small bends to form an arch.
For a sharper bend, clamping between two pieces of lumber and using a rubber mallet.

 

[duluthralphie]

Quick question: I have a bunch of wire panels from a modular shelving unit like this one:



Plan is to bend one into the sloping hoop shape for a MHP for 7 chicks arriving next week. I can probably use two heavy pliers in tandem to bend it, but was wondering if there was a better/easier way or tool to get the job done?

I saw this last night, but was too tired to try and punch out my suggestion on my iPhone, SO now that I am on the laptop, here is my idea .

Take a 1x2 or 2x2 and clamp it with C- clamps to the bottom edge of the wire, One board on each side of the wire. Then bend it over the 2x2 or 1x2. You should have a even bend a little over 2 inches up. If you want more move the boards up..

 

[duluthralphie]

LOL Sorry Aart, I never saw you answer, it was on the next page,,,,


BUT great minds think alike!

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Morning everyone! About to head out for the day, but I wanted to share a few pics. Babies already exploring on top (2-3 days old) - of course, it's been mild/warm here (they're inside mostly to supervise and because I don't have a secure structure outside for them at eh moment). The babies LOVE the cloth diapers - they're super soft, and must feel like a momma's feathers', because they love to aggregate up against them at the back (I have them hanging down at the back of the MHP), even pushing out from under the MHP but under the diapers. I couldn't find one chick this AM, then realized that he had gotten up on TOP of the MHP, but had burrowed UNDER the diapers (I guess like feathers?). Loving these... (they are the super thick 6 ply ones by Gerber).




- Ant Farm

 

[Jensownzoo]

Ah, you two have given me some ideas! I really don't think the wire will bend by hand (designed to be strong shelving after all), but I think if I use the 2x4 idea and put it in a vise I can beat on it a bit with a rubber mallet...or a sledgehammer depending on how stubborn it turns out to be...

 

[Beekissed]

Sounds awful extreme to me. You could just take wire snippers and cut the sides off of one square until you have a free standing wire frame that doesn't have to curve on the top....say leaving enough wire on the sides of the square so that you have 3" legs/support. Many on here have square topped HP brooders of a similar style. Or, you could remove one panel/side of the wire cube, mount it up on little blocks of wood to achieve the same height and go from there.

 

[aart]

Sounds awful extreme to me. You could just take wire snippers and cut the sides off of one square until you have a free standing wire frame that doesn't have to curve on the top....say leaving enough wire on the sides of the square so that you have 3" legs/support. Many on here have square topped HP brooders of a similar style. Or, you could remove one panel/side of the wire cube, mount it up on little blocks of wood to achieve the same height and go from there.

Say, that's a great idea! ;-)

.....and you could even put some bolts in for adjustable legs!

 

[Jensownzoo]

See? That's why I come here. Good ideas all around!

 

[Beekissed]

Say, that's a great idea! ;-)

.....and you could even put some bolts in for adjustable legs!

Exactly! I knew someone would have a pic of that somewhere. Works just as well as the curved topped "caves", I'm sure, and doesn't require all the heavy pounding.

 

[perchie.girl]

See? That's why I come here. Good ideas all around!

was in the ER all day yesterday and when I got in I saw your post. Another way with out bending Because this kind of wire is historically difficult to bend. You can also make your base out of Pvc dont even have to glue it you could even take two of those panels put them together for lenght if need be or even over lap them for adjustment sake. Run PVC horizontally then down to run pvc the width then up to run pvc the lenght. What you have is a complete frame that you can zip tie to the wire. Half inch would not interfere with the chicks access. Invest in a pvc cutter they are an excellent tool to have


As the chiks get taller you can have taller legs ready to go to swap out.

deb

ETA: sorry for the sloppy sketc I am not seeing too well this morning