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

[junebuggena]

Just the two, but I don't know if the Cream Legbar will make it. Naval looks really rough, can't get one eye open despite warm bath with a cotton ball. <sigh> And of course, it's a little pullet too! She looked terrible when she hatched...all covered in yuck and nasty stuff. So we'll see. That stubborn Green Magnolia is still rocking in the incubator but no pips or anything yet.

Considering that your chicks are 'overdue', the temperature during incubation was likely a tad too cool. Next time round, raise the temp up by half a degree.

 

[Bowldy45]

Ok, I have to admit, I was a bit hesitant to try the MHP with the inside brooder. I received my babies this morning, and had a totally different set up for them to be in for the first 24 hours before moving them outside to the coop with the MHP. After watching and observing them all day, I finally said "forget it!", took apart the original set up, and put in the MPH in one of the tubs.
Silly me for even thinking this might not work very well in the tub! I set it up, let it get up to temp, put all 9 fluff butts under it, and didn't hear a peep for over an hour! LoL Last check, 1 was out eating, 4 were sitting on top of the MPH, and the other 4 were still snuggled in.

Oh so sorry for ever doubting!!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Ok, I have to admit, I was a bit hesitant to try the MHP with the inside brooder. I received my babies this morning, and had a totally different set up for them to be in for the first 24 hours before moving them outside to the coop with the MHP. After watching and observing them all day, I finally said "forget it!", took apart the original set up, and put in the MPH in one of the tubs.
Silly me for even thinking this might not work very well in the tub! I set it up, let it get up to temp, put all 9 fluff butts under it, and didn't hear a peep for over an hour! LoL Last check, 1 was out eating, 4 were sitting on top of the MPH, and the other 4 were still snuggled in.

Oh so sorry for ever doubting!!

Love your set up! I've been raising hatches in the house, in plastic tubs since day one but never thought of "joining" them....One way to keep the food/water separate from the sleeping/play area. Always learning from BYC members!

 

[dpenning]

Bucket O Chicks!!.....rounded them all up for re-banding, rigged a tote with small door in cardboard 'lid'.....
....then pulled 'em out one at a time to re-band before releasing. It got warm inside that tote.

Rearranged MHP while they are confined, raised it up.
They had gotten between the towel and pad at some point, lots of poops in there.
Put the board back on there over the pad and under the white towel





Stylin' the new Anklet


New 'playground' config.


Dust bathing on roost board.


Lounging and preening on the straw pile.

 

[Blooie]

I have the HP turned all the way to 6 and they are all huddled together at the very end of the cave, against the wall. I'm going to wait to turn it down.

Use your common sense and good judgement - you are there, we are not!

 

[FlyWheel]

Love your set up! I've been raising hatches in the house, in plastic tubs since day one but never thought of "joining" them....One way to keep the food/water separate from the sleeping/play area. Always learning from BYC members!

+1!

I have so got to use that idea! Mine are not even three weeks old and I can already see they are going to be running out of room soon.

 

[Bowldy45]

Thanks! Mine really seem to like the idea of being able to run back and forth. I had to "show" them they could do it, and then it was non stop! LoL I am just so amazed at how quiet and content they seem to be now that I changed the setup to the MHP.
Oh, and there are still 3 of them snuggled in under it, had to check and make sure I didn't loose any!

 

[TerryH]

Well, when we left for choir they were all back huddled in the corner again. When we got back they are all back under the MHP and snoozing away. I'm just going to leave it on 4 and call it good. Chickens are weird.

 

[Blooie]

Well, when we left for choir they were all back huddled in the corner again. When we got back they are all back under the MHP and snoozing away. I'm just going to leave it on 4 and call it good. Chickens are weird.

Boy, you're fast! Took me 3 years to learn that!!

 

[eagrbeavr]

Thanks! Mine really seem to like the idea of being able to run back and forth. I had to "show" them they could do it, and then it was non stop! LoL I am just so amazed at how quiet and content they seem to be now that I changed the setup to the MHP.
Oh, and there are still 3 of them snuggled in under it, had to check and make sure I didn't loose any!

Thats about the only downside I've seen with this system. Now that I have them in the run and their own pen, I've gotten freaked if I havent see them all there. Then I"d wind up disturbing them by lifting the cave.