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

[Jensownzoo]

I know this is the wrong forum but Am I able to use a 75 or 60 watt bulb as a heat source until I can get the heat pad?

It probably won't get hot enough unless you have several going at once. Depends on ambient temps. A little over a month ago, I found that my 150W ceramic heat emitter wouldn't get hot enough and had to continue using the 250W heat bulb instead. It was pretty chilly in that basement room at the time.

 

[Jensownzoo]

Upgraded my MHP rack today....added 1/4" HC under the rack....so no(never say never?) chance of stuck heads between rack wires. Screwed ends between rack and leg mounts and a few zip ties. Not a great pic..kind of hard to see unless you zoom in. Set 22 eggs yesterday and 6 more EE chicks ordered to arrive very close to hatch day(I hope). Will still have them in brooder inside for a few days, then am determined to get them into the coop partition with the MHP and 'portaled' partition wall.

I like this design!

 

[aart]

Quote: I've had success with using 75-100W incandescent bulbs on a dimmer extension cord...
....depends on your ambient temps....had no luck with 75w ceramic reptile emitter.

 

[dragonthehunter]

I need a creative dirt cheap idea to heat my brooder.if I dont get a good idea in the next week I dont get my welsummer chicks

 

[Jensownzoo]

The 250W bulb was $6 + electricity
Unfortunately the compromise for cheap was safety and the inability to provide "night time" to the chicks.

 

[bruceha2000]

I need a creative dirt cheap idea to heat my brooder.if I dont get a good idea in the next week I dont get my welsummer chicks

A broody hen is dirt cheap if you already have one

What is "dirt cheap"? You can get the heating pads at Walmart if you can't wait for a shipment from Amazon. If the heating pad is too expensive, I wonder how you will afford the coop and feed.

The 250W bulb was $6 + electricity
Unfortunately the compromise for cheap was safety and the inability to provide "night time" to the chicks.

And reflector with guard, another $12-$15.

 

[Blooie]

I need a creative dirt cheap idea to heat my brooder

I'm not sure what you are asking. We've been explaining the heating pad system as completely as we can, and I've noticed you've posted heat source questions on another thread too. So I'm not sure if you just haven't liked any of the ideas or if none of them fit your situation. Could be you are just smart and weighing all of the options out there before choosing one!

If a heat lamp is what you want to do, then by all means go ahead. If Mama Heating Pad sounds sensible, then you can use that system instead. I also know that there are a couple of folks who have used a goosenecked lamp with a regular light bulb successfully.

One thing that needs to be pointed out is that while I understand completely the need to keep expenses down (who doesn't these days?) the one thing you can't sacrifice in order to meet a bottom line is providing the bare basics that chicks need. You don't need top of the line in anything, and chicks (and chickens) don't care what their environment looks like as long as they are able to be kept clean, well fed, hydrated, and, in the case of chicks, warm. Scrounging and recycling old materials can work great for building coops, runs, and brooders. But those basic needs must still be met, and if it means you have to spend a little then you'll have to do that.

Heating pads at Walmart like the one I use are usually around $20.00. They cost less to operate than a heat lamp, and they are far safer as far as fire danger goes. Chicks also aren't eating 24/7 because at night they go into the cave and sleep all night through. So those are some things you might want to consider too.

 

[dragonthehunter]

I will be going with the MHP I will just buy a cheaper but still working pad and then next year upgrade to the best I can find

 

[perchie.girl]

I will be going with the MHP I will just buy a cheaper but still working pad and then next year upgrade to the best I can find

Use the highest wattage you can and pay attention to the chicks... They will tell you if they need it warmer. just put the lamp closer... And exclude all drafts.

Then when you get your MHP install it and remove the lamp.

you will have to teach them of course where the warmth is.

I raised my first little chicks with a sixty watt out side.... Ambient outside temps at night were around 60 degrees though.

We work with what we have.

deb

 

[Blooie]

I think you'll be glad you did. Just make sure that the heating pad you buy can stay on continuously and doesn't automatically turn off after 2 hours or so.