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

[Hholly]

I had 25 under mine. And I did find I needed the back to be not closed off, but loosely covered. Then open as they grew. I had a slow work schedule at the time too. So was able to monitor them a lot.

 

[Blooie]

Isn't it nice that you just got that system over-haul so you have more oxygen to your brain for this heavy thinking, huh Blooie?

Indubitably! You got it, azygous!! But seriously, I don't know why the notion that the number of chicks might dictate whether to have the cave open or closed never clicked with me before. And I know chicks die under heat lamps and commercial plates too. It's just that when I've advocated so enthusiastically a system that has proven time and time again, not just by me but by the people who broke the trail and those who came after, to be simple, effective, good for the chicks, and safer, then it starts going wrong for people, it kinda puts a bit of a guilt trip on me. I still believe in MHP...I will personally never brood any other way again, nor will I ever even turn on a heat lamp again.

 

[Blooie]

Thanks, Hholly! This is why this thread has been so valuable....the way everyone shares so eagerly their experiences, whether good or bad, helps us all.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote: Now thats the Blooie I know.....

 

[jmdes]

Hello All, I am so thankful for this thread and the MHP idea. We have 7 chickens, one year olds, all doing very well. I have 21 eggs in the incubator, with 2-3 days till hatch ! It's my first time incubating eggs. We've borrowed a friend's styrofoam style box. We're at 5,000 ft. so I am a little concerned about oxygen, and humidity, and I am a worrywart !! Wish us luck !!

We've built a safe corner in the coop for the MHP, and the gear is all cleaned up and ready to go.

I may be crying for help here in the next few days and weeks. It's a huge relief to know you are here.

Jan
Sageflower Ranch

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

I am TOTALLY enamored of this cloth baby diaper thing on top of the MHP, as the chicks seem to find them soft and comforting and burrow under them like I have seen photos of chicks under a broody's feathers. I hang the cloth all the way down over the back. They sometimes work their way out from back there, and then that's how they get up on top under the diapers.

In one brooder I have 4-5 day olds, with an "original" single MHP apparatus. In the other are two week olds, and they were starting to look like they WANTED to be able to go under, but they've grown so fast - I tented it up, but there are 15 and not enough room. And it's been a little chillier the past night or two (not below about 55 in that room, and they huddle, so they have been ok). So, having ordered more heating pads on Amazon (the one that's only $10), this evening I quickly went out and cut some spare welded wire fencing and built a double MHP with two heating pads (pillow case still fit around it all quite well). Once we got past the freak out that occurred when I swapped out the old for the new one and covered with diapers (OMG, Mommeeeee, we're gonna DIIIIIIIIIE!!!!), they promptly all got on top, and later under, it. I think I will in the future have a "baby" version (for newly hatched though a week), and a larger version (heat, but also comfort and napping).

I still remain SO pleased at how quiet and content they all are!!!! (Anyone want to buy a used Brinsea Ecoglow?!)

- Ant Farm

 

[Beekissed]

So had a second chick die on this system. The first one was probably my bad. The second one went to the back of the cave (on top) where it could hear the other chicks, and got too cold and died. Didn't understand to go around. Do you have the backs of the caves open? Any ideas on preventing this? I've put a beefier light in to keep the brooder warmer to buy the chicks time as they learn.

Yep...I keep the cave open on both ends. A mama hen doesn't have a back end that closes, so my fake mama hen doesn't either. Just too many things can go wrong with just one entrance to the brooder heater, one of which is chicks getting smothered at the back for lack of air to that space, especially with all the heavy draping folks are using now on this setup.

Another is just what you have found....chicks are not too bright, so they usually follow the cheeps of the others and if they can't "find" the others, they will settle down near where they hear them.

And yet another is temperature fluctuations that happen in an outside brooder, especially at this time of year...the HP doesn't have a thermostat that changes on its own to suit the ambient temps, so if it warms up in the night but the pad is still on high, the chicks can overheat in an enclosed system due to not being able to move away from the heat as readily in the dark. Keeping that other end open and with good air flow can prevent these things from happening.

They honestly don't need that back end closed up in order to stay warm if the HP is touching their backs and they have huddled together with one another. The combination of this should keep them very comfortably warm.

 

[Blooie]

I guess I do it this way because on the very first video I watched about this, her system looked almost like the chicks were going "underground" to get under the pad. So I tried to mimic that with the towel awning and the straw. It's been very successful for me, but it's obvious it's not that successful for everyone.

 

[Blooie]

I hear a pain pill and a comfy mattress calling my name. You guys see if you can solve the world's problems! You are all wonderful, do you know that?

 

[Paganrose]

I currently have 26 chicks under a double heat pad set up that is 12 x 30, I Have the back of mine open. I had a couple that hopped on top, and couldn't figure out how to go around, once I opened up the back they cheerfully play all around it during the day. A lot of them like to nap with their bodies under the MHP, but their faces hanging out side.