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

[bruceha2000]

Nevermind, might have been off target.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

After not wanting it at all, the 13 Cream Legbar chicks (who are almost 2 weeks old and getting so big) suddenly want to use the MHP again - for comfort, not heat (it's not REMOTELY cool here - very weird February). I need to make a second one for them to cuddle under. Should have made it bigger, doubling the heating pads.... I have the 2 day old Naked Necks under THEIR MHP right now. Going to get a couple more heating pads (the ~$13 ones) to make a bigger one for them.

Meanwhile, the whole baby diaper thing is a really big hit. They LOVE burrowing under the diapers - must be like being under mama's feathers. (And they bleach and clean very well.) Here's a cute photo - day one and some Naked Neck chicks were sleeping/napping on top - but under the diapers. One peeked out to see what I was doing.



Blooie -

- Ant Farm

 

[duluthralphie]

Mine have not been in the MHP. ( I have a hard time thinking of that as the cave, It should mean Minnesota Highway Patrol to me..

)

This morning they were all under the MHP when I turned to lights on they got up all sleepy and crawled out then went to town chasing and playing. I have them in the dining room under a table I have the hatchers on when they reach about a week old. I could sit and watch them all day long. Of course, my having them in the dining room does not seem to fit in my DW's décor plans. BUT like all good Husbands, I let it come in one ear and go out the other.

 

[aart]

How freakin' cute is that pic?!?!
Every time I see a naked neck I want to knit it tiny scarf.

 

[rcstanley]

Trying out mhp for the first time. First night I lost a chick (from the feed store, so may have been sick), so I added a heat lamp to raise the ambient temperature a little while I get things right.

Yesterday I added 4 chicks from the incubator. This morning I went out to check on them and there were no chicks under the mhp or anywhere else. I heard peeping though, so they had to be somewhere...

They had crawled up in the fleece around the pad. Instant chickie hammock. I need to rework the heating pad set up, I think it's too tall.

 

[COChix]

Trying out mhp for the first time. First night I lost a chick (from the feed store, so may have been sick), so I added a heat lamp to raise the ambient temperature a little while I get things right.

Yesterday I added 4 chicks from the incubator. This morning I went out to check on them and there were no chicks under the mhp or anywhere else. I heard peeping though, so they had to be somewhere...

They had crawled up in the fleece around the pad. Instant chickie hammock. I need to rework the heating pad set up, I think it's too tall.

Those stinkers, I am sure that made your heart jump for a bit not seeing them. If they are seeking the heat up high then yes you want the heating pad to be lower. It needs to be low enough that they can snuggle up underneath it and touch the pad or close to it with their back. What a cute pic

Do you have pics of your MHP set up? maybe that way we can give better advice seeing the whole set up. If you have posted pics before, I apologize I must have missed them.

 

[Paganrose]

So my chicks are a week old today! So far I am loving the MHP!

I only had one pasty butt, and the quiet at night is a blessing! they seem much more active throughout the day, and they go inside the cave to nap, so I never have those mini heart attacks when sleeping chicks appear dead! I lost one chick only.

My chick I was hand feeding is now thriving after a couple close calls. Her story can be read here- https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1083057/the-life-and-times-of-miss-decibel

Sorry can't get the link to work on work computer!

 

[aart]

So my chicks are a week old today! So far I am loving the MHP!

I only had one pasty butt, and the quiet at night is a blessing! they seem much more active throughout the day, and they go inside the cave to nap, so I never have those mini heart attacks when sleeping chicks appear dead! I lost one chick only.

My chick I was hand feeding is now thriving after a couple close calls. Her story can be read here- https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1083057/the-life-and-times-of-miss-decibel

Sorry can't get the link to work on work computer!

Link worked for me.....'Decibel' is a hilarious name!

 

[rcstanley]

Those stinkers, I am sure that made your heart jump for a bit not seeing them. If they are seeking the heat up high then yes you want the heating pad to be lower. It needs to be low enough that they can snuggle up underneath it and touch the pad or close to it with their back. What a cute pic

Do you have pics of your MHP set up? maybe that way we can give better advice seeing the whole set up. If you have posted pics before, I apologize I must have missed them.

Here's some pics

Inside (I removed the fleece and added a towel on the floor)

 

[ShrekDawg]

Soooo cute!!!!