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

[MesMama]

Go by their behavior...if they are underneath and calm and quiet, they are probably fine.
How old are they?
 If you want to turn it down, go ahead and then check on them after an hour or so....if they are uncomfortable, you will know.

They are a day old. And now I'm wondering if 6 is too hot even during the day (while they're inside I guess) because some would stay under, others were out peeping, eating a bite here and there. Only a couple times, for short periods were they all under.

So I turned off the lights where they're at, everyone was under mama and quiet so I took advantage of that and put them "to bed", so do you mean if they get too hot or cold even if it's dark they'll come out and be unsettled or do I need to leave the light on for a bit and then turn the HP down and see?

 

[MesMama]

If in doubt go cooler on the MHP.  Ideally their wittle backs should touch it when in the cave.


Listen to your chicks If they peep alot they are uncomfortable.

deb

Thank you Their backs are touching so that's good, got that done. Thinking 22 chicks under one MHP might get too hot inside set on 6?

 

[dpenning]

I have washed them repeatedly. My original pad is 3 years old and still works great.

Good to know. It is a sunbeam and I thought it was out of the rain but apparently it was on the ground on one end and it wiked up. I'll go ahead and wash it and plug it back in when it is dry to test it.

 

[bluejean55girl]

I have washed them repeatedly. My original pad is 3 years old and still works great.

I didn't know electric stuff could be machine washed.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
remember those chicks are creating their own heat as well. At night time clumped together they may only need enough warmth to replace what is going off to the environment.

For what its worth Grandpa brooded chicks with a Kerosene lantern under a tin floor filled with Blow sand... Dad said they would lay about with thier little wings out legs out as if they had been splatted on the floor.... sleeping.

deb

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
If the cord unplugs they usually can be washed. I know you can wash an electric blanket. There are specific settings though you should ad hear to. should be on the pad or in the instructions.

deb

 

[ShrekDawg]

Feedback please
Thinking I should turn the HP down since they're inside? It's 68* in here. I've had it on 6 but wondering since everyone is under there and it's in the house here that maybe I should turn it down? Thoughts?

Thanks all! So I have 22 chicks under the big HP and a small one, the cave is about 24" wide and 20 or so deep.

Eta-just thinking with that many warm bodies under the same "roof" indoors, might get too hot at 6

I had mine on 6 at first inside too plus my mom kept turning the heat on the bathroom (so maybe it's a bit different) and I had one get pasty butt at 5 days old and die the next day setting 6 is more for brooding outside in teen temperatures and such. I turned mine down to 4 and had no other issues. I had 9 chicks and after that it's now 8. They were inside 3 weeks then the garage until 7 weeks. They're 21 weeks now. I would definitely turn it down. The idea is they go under it when they want to warm up rather than the whole room being warm, being a little cooler may be better. Also while you can usually go by the behavior mine were scared and nervous at first I think and often they also huddle together for security rather than warmth so you can't always go by that. Mine never made upset cheeps or protested or anything and seemed fine but one still got pasty butt. I would turn it down to at least 4 and then you can always turn it back up or turn it down more if they seem cold. But after having one die I will definitely have it lower from now on

 

[ShrekDawg]

They are a day old. And now I'm wondering if 6 is too hot even during the day (while they're inside I guess) because some would stay under, others were out peeping, eating a bite here and there. Only a couple times, for short periods were they all under.

So I turned off the lights where they're at, everyone was under mama and quiet so I took advantage of that and put them "to bed", so do you mean if they get too hot or cold even if it's dark they'll come out and be unsettled or do I need to leave the light on for a bit and then turn the HP down and see?

I would wait to adjust it until the morning. But yeah, I only had 8 in mine and still had one get pasty butt so with 22 it would probably definitely get too hot

Thank you Their backs are touching so that's good, got that done. Thinking 22 chicks under one MHP might get too hot inside set on 6?

remember those chicks are creating their own heat as well.  At night time clumped together they may only need enough warmth to replace what is going off to the environment.

For what its worth Grandpa brooded chicks with a Kerosene lantern under a tin floor filled with Blow sand...   Dad said they would lay about with thier little wings out legs out as if they had been splatted on the floor....  sleeping.

deb

True

 

[MesMama]

remember those chicks are creating their own heat as well.  At night time clumped together they may only need enough warmth to replace what is going off to the environment.

For what its worth Grandpa brooded chicks with a Kerosene lantern under a tin floor filled with Blow sand...   Dad said they would lay about with thier little wings out legs out as if they had been splatted on the floor....  sleeping.

deb

Lol!!! Really? Awww sweet little things! I can just picture them!
Okay so I turned it down to 4, do you think I should go down a couple more?

 

[ShrekDawg]

I think 4 should be fine. They're still little. Eventually you can turn it down more but you don't want it too low too early. I had mine on 4 after i lost one and they were fine