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

[Jensownzoo]

So I have my 5 two week old chicks in a good size brooder with the mama heating pad and I had a question about adding new chicks to the mix.  Do you have to slowly integrate like you do with older birds or can I just put the new chicks in with my two week olds?  I would be getting probably 2-3 few day old chicks, they wouldn't be more then a week old, and are at least three days old from the farm store near me.  I just really wanted a few breeds that I wasn't able to get when I got the first chicks last week, but I don't really want to run two brooders it would be nice if I could just put them all together.  I was just worried if the new chicks would get trampled or beaten up a lot.

Probably will be okay. The only issues I had was with mixing standards and bantams. The bantams were getting trampled, especially at the feeder/waterers so I jad to set up a separate brooder for them (except the silver sebright who pitched a FIT when I put her with the "little kids").

 

[Blooie]

I've never had any problem putting younger chicks with older ones. I don't do more than a two week age gap, but it's always worked out fine for me.

 

[bruceha2000]

Quote:
That is pretty funny given Sebrights are really small birds as adults.

 

[FlyWheel]

I just got my ducklings today, and am trying this method, is it normal for them to rather be all on top rather then inside? Thanks

My chicks seem to prefer sitting on top of the cave rather than inside also. They've been completely healthy doing so, so I just let them. Their is no reason I can think of that you absolutely need a cave, just someplace they can warm up. The only advantage to a cave is it gives them some place to hide if they feel threatened.

 

[bruceha2000]

If you look at chicks with a momma hen, you will often see them sitting on top of her. Maybe the view is better from up there

If they WON'T stay in the cave at night, perhaps it is on too high and it is too warm inside.

 

[AuroraDoerksen]

My chicks seem to prefer sitting on top of the cave rather than inside also. They've been completely healthy doing so, so I just let them. Their is no reason I can think of that you absolutely need a cave, just someplace they can warm up. The only advantage to a ave is it gives them some place to hide if they feel threatened. 

They must be okay, my heating pad has the 6 heat settings and I have it on 2 currently so not very warm considering I had it at 6 yesterday! They still all sit in a big pile on top and when I pick them up they are plenty warm.

 

[AllynTal]

I'm going to take a five-hour ride next month to pick up 6 day-old chicks. (They'll be a day-old when I pick them up. They're not a day old now. Right now, they're just a gleam in a rooster's eye.). I want to take a portable MHP brooder to keep them warm on the drive back. I don't know whether to go with a 12V travel heating pad that plugs into the cigarette lighter or get a 12V inverter and another 110V heating pad. The travel pad has auto shutoff -- not a huge deal as I'll be sitting right next to it and can turn it back on every half hour, but the no-fuss inverter and regular heating pad sounds like less of a hassle. Does anyone have experience with either of these --the travel pad or the inverter -- and can offer an opinion?

If no one has a definite opinion either way, I'm going with the inverter. Seems like it should work.

 

[Jensownzoo]

That is pretty funny given Sebrights are really small birds as adults. 

Tiny bird, HUGE personality!

 

[duluthralphie]

I've never had any problem putting younger chicks with older ones. I don't do more than a two week age gap, but it's always worked out fine for me.

Me too...

Maybe I should write an article on it..

I mix them constantly, without problems.

 

[COChix]

If they are happily hanging with the older chickens and up on roosts, I wouldn't be surprised to find them in the "wrong" bedroom. Since you WANT a roo, I hope it is one   Do you know about the https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/463817/easter-egger-sexing-tips-and-tricks-pictures-included thread? First thing to look for in an EE is a 3 row pea comb. USUALLY those are cockerels. 

Hi and thanks. I have checked out the sexing of EE thread, the bird in question is an OE, not sure if the same sexing tips apply, or not. As far as ending up in the wrong bedroom, they haven't yet, first night I had to help them into the coop and block the door so they would stay. Last night was the second night, they put themselves in their "bedroom" with no issues. They do it in phases, at first they go in the coop on their side and hang by the door. Then once closer to dark they make their way under their mama and hunker down for the night. These are the smartest group of chicks I have had so far, been making it super easy on me. I did have the NN squeeze through the 6 inch opening we had cut for the babies and was eating their food. I had to make the opening smaller, seemed to work.