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

[circlehouse]

...

If not of the Woods proportions and openings management, an open air coop might not be great for your climate there. 

we have essentially built the coop just like a "traditional" coop with ventilation on top and everything with one side being all hardware cloth. My husband is building big barn doors so we can customize the size of the opening. The coop is close to the house, so not much wind.

 

[Redufresne]

Mr. Tea had a normal chest this morning. Of course, he's all fat again this evening! Because of your support, I can throw this off my worry list. Meanwhile, they seem to have figured out that huddling on the heating pads buried under wood chips during a frigid night is a good idea. Feeling more confdent. They are also eating from dry, non-windy feeding station, so I soon won't have to keep up with food and water in two places and can get food and water out of the coop. The water in the feeding station has a heater that turns on at 35 degrees and off at 45 degrees, so that one won't freeze! Thanks everyone!

 

[FlyWheel]

I built my Mama Heat Pad today. I started with a frame made from 1/2" hardware cloth cut to the dimensions of the pad - 12"x24" and then bent it into the cave shape. It is 6" high in the front and 3" high in the back. It was a real bear getting it to sit flat thought, it kept wanting to warp. But I finally got it to sit reasonably level.


Here's the frame inside the brooder with the pad on top. I didn't have any plastic, so I covered it with a couple layers of paper towel and wheat grass bedding for now.


I then replaced the heat lamp with a red LED bulb, although the color doesn't show because of the flash. This is just for lighting to create a day-night cycle, I don't want to have to burn the garage ceiling lights all day. It is controlled by a small appliance timer, so it will turn on automatically at 7AM and back off at 7 at night. (see upper right).

It took a while to get them to realize the new cave wasn't something they needed to be afraid of. Now if I can get them to realize they're supposed to sleep inside of it instead of on the top!

They're going to get along real good with the rest of my flock - they all prefer to sleep on the roof (of their coop) instead of inside as well!

EDIT: I put a thermometer about halfway inside the cave and after an hour it has stabilized at a smidge over 80 F, which seems to be their comfort zone based on their behavior with the heat lamp.

 

[Beekissed]

That's an easy one....tonight at dark, turn out the lights, stuff the chicks under the brooder and leave. Come out in a little while with a flashlight but don't beam it directly into the brooder box and see if everyone is still under there. If not, stick 'em under there and leave. They'll get it. If it's too warm they'll move out to the opening and sleep there, if not warm enough they'll move towards the back and sort of huddle up. You'll be able to adjust it by watching how they sleep.

 

[dyorto]

This has worked great for me the last 2 winters, https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/aarts-heated-waterer-with-horizontal-nipples
Holds 2.5 gallons, but I keep it pretty full (to make darn sure the heater stays covered) by topping off with the approx. 1/2 gallon of water that my 15 birds use every day.

You are so crafty aart!

 

[FlyWheel]

That's an easy one....tonight at dark, turn out the lights, stuff the chicks under the brooder and leave. Come out in a little while with a flashlight but don't beam it directly into the brooder box and see if everyone is still under there. If not, stick 'em under there and leave. They'll get it. If it's too warm they'll move out to the opening and sleep there, if not warm enough they'll move towards the back and sort of huddle up. You'll be able to adjust it by watching how they sleep.

Thanks, That's how I got them learned that the cave wasn't a threat; I herded them all inside and held my arm in front for a minute so they would realize it wasn't dangerous. When I removed my hand they wandered slowly back out. I know they are comfortable at their present stage at a temp of around 80, and that's what the thermometer inside says it is (the pad is set at '4'). So hopefully tonight they'll figure out that it will be nicer snuggled inside than it is on top.

 

[aart]

Quote: What feeds the float valve? Garden hose? Wouldn't that freeze?

They seem to get plenty of water out of the nipples in summer, definitely an increase, that's why I like to top off water jug and feed each day, to monitor their consumption.
When it gets really hot in summer I take out a shallow tray and put an inch of ice cubes and water for them to wade in and drink from in the afternoons.

 

[dyorto]

this is what i use stock tank float valve + black tub I dont like nipple waterers because it gets so hot here I dont feel they can deep drink out of em. The deeper water stays cooler in the summertime. Especially in the shade. Also when it frezes jthe Iceblock just pops out so you can refill. deb

Sadly I'm not sure a float thingy works.... You put that thing in the bucket? Is it joked to a hose?

 

[dyorto]

You beat me to it aart! And I can't type today apparently.

 

[aart]

Put some straw around MHP, especially at back and sides, supposed to get below freezing the next few nights and colder during days too.
They've been fine so far without it, but a little extra can't hurt. The littlest/youngest 3 spend more time near the heat.....
...but everyone has full crops and is having a ball running around the extra space.
I kinda miss having them inside......but not really.

Next week it's supposed to warm back up some,
and will open the chick doors, teach them how to use those.