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

[Blooie]

Oh, new chicks! Yayyy!! Don't worry about the thermometer, @TerryH . I never do, and the one time I did take it in response to @azygous ' question, I got a reading of 82.9 in a 69 degree room.
The chicks were doing just great, and had been in there for about 4 or 5 days before I did the reading, and it had been at this temperature since they arrived. This isn't like a heat lamp where it's 95 the first week, 90 the second, and so on. This is just more like "put them under, show them where the warm is, then let them self-regulate." They do that very well! We're here to answer your questions as you go, so dive right in there!

A setting of 6 should be fine for the first few days, but if they are brooding indoors that will soon get too warm. They'll let you know that when they don't want to go under at all, and instead pile in a corner acting pathetic and like they are freezing! They most likely are chilly, but turn the heat down, let it cool off for about 15 minutes, then shove them back under. They should snuggle right down and begin that wonderful little chick purring thing they do!

Don't forget pictures!! So excited!!

 

[TerryH]

Oh, new chicks! Yayyy!! Don't worry about the thermometer, @TerryH . I never do, and the one time I did take it in response to @azygous ' question, I got a reading of 82.9 in a 69 degree room.
The chicks were doing just great, and had been in there for about 4 or 5 days before I did the reading, and it had been at this temperature since they arrived. This isn't like a heat lamp where it's 95 the first week, 90 the second, and so on. This is just more like "put them under, show them where the warm is, then let them self-regulate." They do that very well! We're here to answer your questions as you go, so dive right in there!

A setting of 6 should be fine for the first few days, but if they are brooding indoors that will soon get too warm. They'll let you know that when they don't want to go under at all, and instead pile in a corner acting pathetic and like they are freezing! They most likely are chilly, but turn the heat down, let it cool off for about 15 minutes, then shove them back under. They should snuggle right down and begin that wonderful little chick purring thing they do!

Don't forget pictures!! So excited!!

Thanks Blooie! We're trying to not be nervous. It's not working out too well so far. Tomorrow is Cheryl's birthday so added pressure on me to have everything right. We'll post some pics when we get them home.

 

[COChix]

Thanks Blooie! We're trying to not be nervous. It's not working out too well so far. Tomorrow is Cheryl's birthday so added pressure on me to have everything right. We'll post some pics when we get them home. 

What a great Birthday for your wife, can't wait for the pics.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks for the reply. Makes sense. We're first timers and a little nervous. We both work during the day so we are picking up the chicks after work tomorrow and then we're right back to work on Wednesday morning so not much time to observe. Trying to make sure all is well for the little ones.

Are they inside the house or outside? I had mine on 6 at first inside and one got pasty butt and died at 6 days old. Not trying to scare you but too warm can cause it. But maybe for a day or two it'd be fine. But I immediately turned it down to 4 and they seemed happier. We also only had 9 (now 8) so the extra couple chicks may raise the temp a bit. Personally I'd rather have them a little bit colder than too warm. But you could always maybe try it on 5 if 4 seems to low for you. Mine also weren't acting too hot so sometimes they go under for security too. I've since learned that 6 is more for outdoor brooding or really cold temps, like in the 20s and teens, and yeah. I had initially read Blooie had it on 6 and assumed mine needed to be there too but was later told inside it doesn't need to be as warm. If that helps. You could always try it on the highest setting at first then turn it down

ETA: just noticed I've been Blooied by Blooie herself lom and I agree, what a great birthday present

 

[TerryH]

What a great Birthday for your wife, can't wait for the pics.

She is the most selfless person I've ever known. She always puts everyone else's wants and needs before her own. She virtually never asks for anything so when she asked for chickens...well...I made sure that she got what she wanted with a pretty nice coop and run under construction and chicks on her birthday. I haven't been happily married for 3 years on accident.

 

[TerryH]

Are they inside the house or outside? I had mine on 6 at first inside and one got pasty butt and died at 6 days old. Not trying to scare you but too warm can cause it. But maybe for a day or two it'd be fine. But I immediately turned it down to 4 and they seemed happier. We also only had 9 (now 8) so the extra couple chicks may raise the temp a bit. Personally I'd rather have them a little bit colder than too warm. But you could always maybe try it on 5 if 4 seems to low for you. Mine also weren't acting too hot so sometimes they go under for security too. I've since learned that 6 is more for outdoor brooding or really cold temps, like in the 20s and teens, and yeah. I had initially read Blooie had it on 6 and assumed mine needed to be there too but was later told inside it doesn't need to be as warm. If that helps. You could always try it on the highest setting at first then turn it down

ETA: just noticed I've been Blooied by Blooie herself lom and I agree, what a great birthday present

They will be in the house. I am concerned that it might be too warm. I'll turn it down to 5 and see what they think about it.

 

[ShrekDawg]

They will be in the house. I am concerned that it might be too warm. I'll turn it down to 5 and see what they think about it. 

I think 5 would be. good place to start. You could always turn it up or down later

 

[karma23]

I can't tell you how great this has worked out! My babies ran under the mama heating pad and they love it! Our first time raising baby chicks and this gives me such peace of mind. We are in Northern Ca so it's going to warm up enough so they can go in their coop in a few weeks. But thanks again for the suggestion!

 

[poodlechicks]

Well just cut the frame shorter...here is what I did last year.

Wrapped only part in wire and this became a problem when they got bigger and would climb on top of the frame. There was no support to hold their weight in the back since the was no wire.

So I re-wrapped the whole length, this helped tremendously.

We had 15 with this set up originally, they out grew the tomatoe cage frame, I switched to a kitchen shelf. I probably could have just re-worked the frame to flatten it out more. Anyway, does this help? How many chicks do you have?

Thanks COChix! That's exactly how I set up the frame. I already flattened it out to make sure at least part of it will be touching their backs. I was worried about it being too long, I am wrapping 1" wire cloth over it for support and to prevent trapping chicks from a slipping HP. I'm expecting 16 chicks.

 

[dyorto]

They will be in the house. I am concerned that it might be too warm. I'll turn it down to 5 and see what they think about it. 

I found mine were happiest at 4 inside. But like stated, you can start at 5 and just observe when you can and change if needed! Have fun!