So, I'm going to throw an idea out and somebody tell me if you have already done this. I'm thinking of making a box design that will hold the heating pad but also have roosts underneath for the littles to go. If that doesn't make sense think of it as a heating pad over the top of the roosts. Anybody have pictures of things they have done other than just the regular cave. My chicks are 1 week and 3 weeks old so they still need heat, but they seem to like to roost too. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Skip the roosts.
- They would require the pad to be too far from the birds
- Chicks don't roost. I made a set of "bleachers" for the brooder pen in my coop. I rarely saw the chicks hop up on it though they did hop up on things outside the brooder.
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I loved this idea but I can't stand the thought of using anything with an AUTO OFF feature - I would never sleep! I rigged up a small experiment with an aluminum foil roasting pan and two reptile heating pads. Because I plan to brood my chicks outside in the empty coop it just didn't' generate enough heat to keep ME happy ( maybe the chicks would have been fine, who knows).
For a few dollars more than a household heating pad you could buy an extra large reptile heater. It's either on or off, no electronics to go wrong. One size comes with adhesive on it and they tend to be at least a little moisture resistant. Might be a viable option?
And therein lies the rub. You are not suited to being raised under a warm hen or surrogate heating pad, chicks are
You lack feathers, you lack a bunch of little buddies to snuggle with. When born you lacked the ability to walk, talk, feed yourself.
Plus, the chicks need less heat in the cave as they feather out. If the reptile pad is either on or off, it will eventually be too hot in the cave if it isn't at the outset. MHP cave, heat lamp, ceramic plate, it doesn't matter what your heat source is, you need to be able to adjust the temperature according to the birds' behavior.
You can buy a pad that has an override for the 2 hour shutoff or you could buy a pad that doesn't have an automatic shutoff. Either will have more than one heat setting.
My reading comprehension is pretty good, thanks. My point was that I would lie awake at night wondering if it was warm enough or if somehow the device had shut itself off despite my best efforts to the contrary. And my power DOES go out frequently, especially in winter, sometimes for 12 hours at a time.
I love the concept it's just not in my comfort zone.
If the power goes out for 12 hours you better be planning to move the chicks next to a roaring wood stove in the house. Heat plates, heat lamps, heat "anything" you are likely to use to brood chicks takes electricity. Sounds like you would want the pad that doesn't have any auto-off since they will heat back up without human intervention when the electricity comes back on.
Thanks! I do love the concept and it did reveal to me the idea that my chicks might appreciate a day/night cycle. I put together a separate heat lamp with a ceramic heat emitter for sleepy time. I'll swap it back and forth with my infrared to create light and dark cycles.
I think you are taking something simple and turning it into a Rube Goldberg contraption. The MHP, like a hen, is a simple thing. It is a warm area to go under to sleep at night or warm up during the day. That's it. Neither takes 1 second of your time to keep the chicks warm once set up other than maybe lowering the heat setting on the non live heat source. Using a hen has big advantages though. They take the littles out and teach them everything they need to know about living. Of course they would figure that out themselves, my original 12 did. But last summer Zorra showed the littles all the good daytime "hangout" places, where and what to forage, took them back to the coop at the appropriate time etc.
If you go with your heat lamp / ceramic heat plate plan, watch for a too warm environment and potential pasty butt. If you aren't aware of what that is, read up on it before the chicks arrive and be vigilant in checking and know how to deal with it. And deal with it before it becomes a big problem.
I know this irritated the little ones, but I did a lot of head counts lifting the MHP to peek to ensure that wasn't happening with this batch, even though it's entirely enclosed in a pillowcase. (Less worried now that they're a week old and running around so much, but I still do head counts. I'm the nervous type.). Unfortunately, they're pretty good at finding ways to get into trouble....
Sorry this happened.
Of course it was the pullets.
- Ant Farm
I do headcounts every night on my girls. Have to make sure they are all in the barn before I close the door. Every now and then I have to go looking for one that was so busy foraging she didn't notice all the others headed "home"
Sorry for the loss Ralphie, especially with CLs, they are a pretty rare breed here.
sorry for the loss of your chicks, thanks for giving everyone here a heads up on an issue you have run into. I am planning on using a set up like you and Aart's so hearing this before I get started is helpful. 
not really but find your designs and ideas inspiring. Thanks for being honest and not shying away from your troubles. It helps others struggling with physical disabilities realize that we are only as limited as we think we are. 
