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

[MistyMountain]

Joining in here!

I've got 25 chicks on order from Sandhill due in May. If I don't have a couple of broodies willing to accept chicks, then I am going to try the MHP in the broody coop. I refuse to raise chicks in the house again!! No electricity at the coop right now, so DH is going to move the 4'x4' coop up next to the barn for electricity.

I have not read through everything yet, busy busy times here with two little boys, but those with experience--- will the king size (12" x 24") be big enough for 25 standard chicks?

 

[COChix]

Joining in here! 

I've got 25 chicks on order from Sandhill due in May. If I don't have a couple of broodies willing to accept chicks, then I am going to try the MHP in the broody coop. I refuse to raise chicks in the house again!! No electricity at the coop right now, so DH is going to move the 4'x4' coop up next to the barn for electricity.

I have not read through everything yet, busy busy times here with two little boys, but those with experience--- will the king size (12" x 24") be big enough for 25 standard chicks?

sort answer, yes....depends also if you have a flat platform type frame or an arched frame. The arched frame doesn't allow for as many chicks under the heat pad as a platform type frame does.

 

[Blooie]

Hey, MM! A few days ago I would have suggested getting two and butting them, but since then others have chimed in and said they've done it with one by not forming it into a cave but more like flat on top, and open front and back so no chicks get jammed into the back, unable to make it past the others blocking the entry, and overheating. Been my experience that by the end of week one, they are spending as much time on top of it as under it, so I say go for it!

And I see COChix beat me to it! You guys are GOOD!

 

[10AcreChick]

Look up, MistyMountain! I just did it with that exact size hp and posted a pic. 29 fuzzies! Yup, going to have to get the coop brooder going this weekend; DH is putting in electric for me, though I will be digging the ditch for it.

We have an 8x12 coop and so far 17 free-rangers.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Joining in here! 

I've got 25 chicks on order from Sandhill due in May. If I don't have a couple of broodies willing to accept chicks, then I am going to try the MHP in the broody coop. I refuse to raise chicks in the house again!! No electricity at the coop right now, so DH is going to move the 4'x4' coop up next to the barn for electricity.

I have not read through everything yet, busy busy times here with two little boys, but those with experience--- will the king size (12" x 24") be big enough for 25 standard chicks?

Oooohhhh what kind of chicks!? Sandhill has some nice birds!!!

As for the pad, if you do it the way @10AcreChick and @aart did, in more of a plate way instead of curved into a cave, then it should fit them all from what I've seen! I just did a cave with welded wire but I only had 8. But next time I am going with the plate idea.

If that doesn't work you can always get a second smaller one and put them together to make one giant one!!

Good luck with the chicks and we expect pictures when they arrive!!!

How many do you have now?

 

[ShrekDawg]

sort answer, yes....depends also if you have a flat platform type frame or an arched frame. The arched frame doesn't allow for as many chicks under the heat pad as a platform type frame does.

Hey, MM!  A few days ago I would have suggested getting two and butting them, but since then others have chimed in and said they've done it with one by not forming it into a cave but more like flat on top, and open front and back so no chicks get jammed into the back, unable to make it past the others blocking the entry, and overheating.  Been my experience that by the end of week one, they are spending as much time on top of it as under it, so I say go for it!

And I see COChix beat me to it!  You guys are GOOD!

Look up, MistyMountain! I just did it with that exact size hp and posted a pic. 29 fuzzies! Yup, going to have to get the coop brooder going this weekend; DH is putting in electric for me, though I will be digging the ditch for it.

We have an 8x12 coop and so far 17 free-rangers.

Whoops, looks like everyone beat me

 

[COChix]

Look up, MistyMountain! I just did it with that exact size hp and posted a pic. 29 fuzzies! Yup, going to have to get the coop brooder going this weekend; DH is putting in electric for me, though I will be digging the ditch for it.

We have an 8x12 coop and so far 17 free-rangers.

Remind me what your frame was made out of again?

 

[COChix]

And I see COChix beat me to it!  You guys are GOOD!

We were trained by the best

 

[Blooie]

So was !...........

 

[TexasChkn]

Hey everyone. I just got my chicks on Saturday and they were under a heat lamp. I got momma heating pad created today and am trying to transition them. They are 5 days old. Any advice on how to get them to use it? I'm new to chickens but I'm of the mind that the closer to natural/nature the better so this way just makes since!