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

[Nariah01]

Can't answer your question because I've never used a huddle box. I brood them outdoors almost from the start and when they stop using the pad, I just take it out and they are on their own. But I know someone will pop in with an idea or two. I can't remember how old your chicks are, sorry. Old brain here.

They are three to four weeks, I have three that are younger and five that are older. I thought about just taking out the pad altogether since they can't really use it but wasn't sure bout the younger ones. I suppose since they are still inside the heat might no longer be really needed.

 

[Nariah01]

Yep! Here's my huddle box blurb:
Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.
Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.
Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.
Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.
This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.

You could put the heat pad in there, I'd turn it way down tho, then remove after a couple nights.

Awesome thank you for helping! the pad is already on the lowest setting so it would stay that way if I put it in the box.

 

[aart]

Quote: I would think they'd be off heat completely by 3-4 weeks if they are inside....how warm is it in the room they are in?

 

[bruceha2000]

So I don't think all my chicks can even fit under the pad anymore, but they do like to hang out on top for warmth. I was thinking sense I want them to adjust to a huddle box anyways could I put the pad on the bottom of the box so they would still have warmth for another week or so and then just take the pad out of the box a few days before I move them outside? That way they could still have the heat if they need/want it but they could all fit in the box whereas they can't fit together in the cave. Then if they aren't using the pad I'll just take it out and have just the box. Does this sound logical to you all?

8 should still fit under even a smaller pad I think. Have you re-smooshed (I think that is an official Blooie's Broody Brigade term) the frame so it is now higher since the chicks are a bit older? 2" rear and 4" front is a good place to start for day olds but it needs to get taller as they grow. And I bet you have noticed just how FAST they do grow!

 

[Nariah01]

I would think they'd be off heat completely by 3-4 weeks if they are inside....how warm is it in the room they are in?

The coldest it would get in the room they are in would be maybe 58ish, and that would be at night, but it probably is closer to 60s in there. You think I should just remove the heat completely and just give them the box? The older ones are feathered out really well and nicely so I am not too worried about them, but the three younger ones only really have wing feathers which was why I kept the heat in there. But you are probably right, you all have been doing this a whole lot longer then I have.

 

[Nariah01]

8 should still fit under even a smaller pad I think. Have you re-smooshed (I think that is an official Blooie's Broody Brigade term) the frame so it is now higher since the chicks are a bit older? 2" rear and 4" front is a good place to start for day olds but it needs to get taller as they grow. And I bet you have noticed just how FAST they do grow!

It is a great term but because of the heavy duty gauge of the wire I used for the cave it can't be re-smooshed. I would have to build a whole new cave and my fencing material that I would use to make it out of is either in use already or going to be soon. Which is why I asked about putting it in the box or taking it out completely. I know now that next time I brood chicks I am going use something a little more adjustable in size they do grow so fast!

 

[bruceha2000]

Rabbits will eat your Red Kuri. Deer will eat your surprise squash and they'll nibble your Fortex down to little nubs. Deer and rabbits will drop a trail of ticks every where they go. Turkeys are smart enough to out run a dog, and they will certainly leave your dog scratching his head when they take off and land on your roof. The herons will eat all the frogs in your pond. Then you'll have too many mosquitoes. After those herons eat all the frogs, they'll eat your baby chicks. And those migrating water fowl will most assuredly be carrying AI. Good for your dog to chase them away. So, keep your fat ground hogs. They are eating too much chicken feed. Your dog will eat the ground hogs, and everybody will be happy. Of course you could buy a gun, and have some great target practice. That would be in addition to the dog. Be sure you get a useful dog. So far mine is not earning her keep... but she's young yet. I still have hope that she will settle down.

Geez LG, you sure paint a sorrowful picture! I didn't have those problems last year. You better not have jinxed me!!!

Only people ate the squash and beans last year (maybe you sprinkled the seeds with anti varmint dust before you sent them

). I did have to put bird netting around the tomato to keep Echo from helping herself. And the chickens checked out the "going past" cucumbers but I still had plenty of them to save seed for this year. Of course the variety and quantity of veggies out in the garden this year will be WAY more than last year and that might catch the attention of the "predators".

Apparently we have PLENTY of frogs and small fish in the pond. Given how shallow it is, I am always surprised when there are frog eggs, tadpoles and small fish in the spring when it thaws. I was surprised we weren't inundated with mosquitoes the spring after we bought the place but I guess there are enough fish and frogs to eat the larvae. And we have plenty of birds that like to eat flying insects.

And (knock on wood) the @#$% chucks haven't been in the coop raiding the feed this year. Surely I fed more to them and the wild birds than I did to my chickens the last 2 summers. The last couple of years they tunneled under the doors on the north end of the barn alley. Last fall I dug down along the outside and "planted" some large rocks across the door opening area and thus far I've not seen them finding a way in from that direction. But they are determined little creatures and if I can find a properly set up tunnel will use my Havahart trap to move more to the town line (which happens to run along the west side of the property). I moved 3 last year but of course I have no idea if they didn't just follow me back at a discrete distance. I understand they will travel quite a distance and it is illegal to "rehome" them to someone else's property (though I know some who are very deserving of such a "gift"). And as you know DD1 would have a fit if I had a gun and shot one so that won't fly.

Not wanting to be accused of going off topic:
Brooding with Mama Heating Pad RULES!!!!

 

[poodlechicks]

Hi all! My babies went from going in and out of the cave to completely ignoring it during the day from one day to the next! Now, they are still under there for the night at setting 5. Go figure... Here they are sunbathing in the brooder.

 

[dyorto]

Is there a best way to transition my chicks to their new coop? If I shut them out of the old one, will they figure it out or will I probably have to force them all in the first few times?

 

[Beekissed]

Keep them penned into the new coop for a few days or even a week, close off the old one. They will return to the place they've been sleeping the most. That old saying "chickens always come home to roost" is pretty apt for most chickens...they want to be where all the other chickens are, so they follow the leader and most will go back to where they feel safe.