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

[Blooie]

Blooie, I agree re: the temperature readings. I learned a lot from making a brooder w/ a heating pad and definitely will go by feel with the temperatures next time. I've never had a brooder with a heat lamp and I don't plan to in the future. I really liked how much more this setup was similar to having a real mama hen.
You read so many warnings everywhere about keeping them warm enough that, this being my first time, I wanted to make sure they had a range of options. After watching them and learning a lot from their behavior, I understand much better now what they want and need (rather than it being an abstract idea!). I think I'll have the confidence next time to let them tell me what they want!

I have the cutest little video of them all crowded underneath-- it's just tons of little pair of feet sticking down, but I haven't figured out how to snap a still frame photo from it. If I do, I'll post it. Very adorable.

Thanks again for all the insight on here, it's been really helpful along the way!

You are so very welcome! The ultimate goal here is to make raising chicks more fun with less stress on the owners and the chicks.

 

[COChix]

Blooie, I had never thought about the stress form the heat lamp always being on and them not having any dark time. That makes total sense to me now, if they were in the coop with a broody they would have dark time. Anyway, I have been sharing the link to this thread with anyone I can think of, thanks again. Can't wait until I start working on this, heating pad arriving this Thurs. my goal is to have everyone into the small coop and part of run by not this weekend but next.

 

[Blooie]

Thanks for sharing the link. I know a lot of people shudder in horror at the idea of no heat lamp, no 95 degrees first week and down by 5 until it's almost time for them to start laying (tongue in cheek). Once you realize that two major differences between this system and Mama Broody Hen is that Mom isn't plugged in and she moves around it becomes so clear.

 

[COChix]

Thanks for sharing the link.  I know a lot of people shudder in horror at the idea of no heat lamp, no 95 degrees first week and down by 5 until it's almost time for them to start laying (tongue in cheek).  Once you realize that two major differences between this system and Mama Broody Hen is that Mom isn't plugged in and she moves around it becomes so clear.

wondering what was the coldest temps you have had chicks outside with this system?

 

[Blooie]

The first group of 11 went to live in the run when they were about a week old and it got down to 17 degrees one night. But averages by the next week, when the new four chicks joined them, hovered between 19 and 23. Daytime temps ranged from 39 to 75. What can I say, it's Wyoming! The last batch was received on Thursday, they went out Friday morning, and a couple of days later we had 60mph winds and snow coming down sideways with a power outage during the night just to keep things from getting dull!

 

[COChix]

The first group of 11 went to live in the run when they were about a week old and it got down to 17 degrees one night. But averages by the next week, when the new four chicks joined them, hovered between 19 and 23. Daytime temps ranged from 39 to 75. What can I say, it's Wyoming! The last batch was received on Thursday, they went out Friday morning, and a couple of days later we had 60mph winds and snow coming down sideways with a power outage during the night just to keep things from getting dull!

Sounds very similar to us as far as weather. our daytime averages have been all over the place one day it can be beautifully sunny 75 degree day to mid thirties the next day with drizzle and rain. We receive a lot of winds here in North Boulder, but we have less windy days comparatively to Wyoming. Your winters are definitely worse than ours. Thanks for the info oh one more thing, what week have you noticed the chicks stop using the heating pad brooder? My guess would be around 6-7 when they are getting more feathers?

 

[Blooie]

Mine were totally out of the brooder pen and integrated with the adults at 4 & 5 weeks old. They weren't going under the pad at all by then. Some were roosting all night on the small roost in the brooder, some sat on top or around the sides at times, and they did fine. After they were evicted, they slept in a pile by the entrance to the brooder, which by then was occupied by the newest babies. We let them do that for a week or so, then started forcing them into the coop at night. Just grabbed a few of them at a time and pushed them right through the open pop door. They still were sleeping in a pile, just doing it inside the coop. Did that for two nights - now we don't have to do anything. They go in with the Bigs, get up on the roost and sleep. The heating pad on the Tinys, now 4 weeks old, is down to two and will go off completely this week. They don't spend enough time near it to justify keeping it going. By this age they wouldn't all fit under a broody hen anyway.

 

[Celtics33]

Ok, tomorrow I have 5 Barred Rock, 5 Buff Orpington, 3 Red Sex Links, 3 Rhode Island Red, 3 Black Star babies due to be picked up. I thought I had everything ready for my brooder...... until I saw someone mention the MHP thread. I've spent the last couple of days reading through this thread. I threw out the heat lamp idea, went to Wal-Mart last night, got the exact heating pad and press n seal described (had no trouble thanks to all the excellent descriptions - and think I've been introduced to something great for my kitchen). I've taken some woven wire fencing, doubled it to make it stronger, and shaped an arch. I covered it over with the heating pad and sealed towels. I also went ahead and put my water bucket with the vertical spickets in the brooder (loved this idea - why teach them to drink twice?) Now I've turned on my heat lamp for tonight to get everything nice and warm for their arrival tomorrow. I will take the lamp away tomorrow. I don't have a thermometer in my "cave", but here in middle TN it's been pretty warm. I will need to get the larger heating pad (as I have more babies ordered later this week

) I guess I should also say at this point - I've never raised any chicks. I inherited someone's older girls a couple of years ago and then rehomed them. I really like the idea of everything being as close to natural as I can get it. Thank all of you for the great information. I'm really excited about my babies' arrival. Below are the pics of my "cave" and brooder set up (as stated above - the heat lamp will go tomorrow).

 

[Blooie]

Looks like you're all set to go! I'm glad you've ordered the bigger pad....you've already got 19 under the small one and that's great for the first two weeks or so, but they'll get big really fast! Ain't that Press 'n Seal the best stuff? Great brooder set up. You won't regret starting them on the nipple waterer from the get go!

The only thing I might suggest is that you check the height of the cave after you get the chicks and they go under it. If it seems too high, smoosh the center of the cave down a bit...that will bring the pad to just above their backs, which they like, and it will also spread the cave to be a little wider to accommodate that many chicks. They'll bunch up at first anyway, but with a little spread-out room you'll lessen the risk of one getting smothered under the pile. It hasn't happened yet with anyone using MHP, but erring on the side of caution is a good thing. The center of the cave looks a little high to me, but that could well just be the pictures. And of course, if you lower the center of the cave you'll have to raise the awing/entrance towel a bit so it doesn't look blocked to them.

We love pictures, so after your chicks get here be sure to share! How many chicks and what kinds are in your second shipment?

 

[segeine]

What's the blue thing?