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

[bruceha2000]

So my MHP is set up and 15 chicks under it.....and its freaking me out LOL-I have never had chicks so quiet before. I know its a fabulous thing but I keep peeking to make sure they aren't smothering in the pine shavings etc.

Think about children. Would you want a baby to be crying non stop day and night or sleeping quietly?

They were joined by Sluf a week and half later, just a day after he was hatched here, but he wasn't hatched and in this video yet.

And look how eager they are to get out of the brooder space, even though it has PLENTY of room for them. LET US OUT!!!!

Well, now... I have "log envy".

Now now Leah's Mom, Thou shalt not envy thy neighbor's log!!!

@Finelyfound

Could you post a photo of how it is configured now?

I am wondering if you could put it end-to-end so that is half deep (12.5).

I'm thinking that would give you 12ish deep and 50ish long.... Then maybe separate the 2 ends from each other with a gap just large enough for them to get out there also... maybe 3-4" apart.

I think the 25x25 format IS the problem. In a 12x48 format, the farthest a chick can be from the edge is 6". That is about 2 chicks away. In the 25x25 there can be a full foot of chicks between the ones in the center and the exits. I don't think heat from the pad, or lack of it, was the problem since it was the ones in the center that

died. I'm sure they were plenty warm in the middle of the other 23 chicks.

I am VERY sorry you lost the chicks Jocelyn!

It dawned on me yesterday that two of them, the lighter colored ones, don't have slate colored feet. Junebuggena, do some EE chicks have white legs? If the hatchery made a mistake, I'm in for a surprise as they develop.

Eos (2015 EE) was so light when the girls arrived that she could almost pass for one of the White Rocks except for the pale smudge of apricot color on her head. Her legs? It was "They are KINDA green, right? RIGHT??". But both the apricot and green deepened in color as she got older. The apricot "leaked" down her body and her legs are clearly green.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I was a little behind on changing the coop so a couple sneezed a couple times but nothing major I noticed and I think we may be having minor mite troubles or knats (sp?) Because they seem to be scratching semi a lot lately because I stopped putting DE in the coop and run a couple weeks ago (never had any issues when I was using it) but anyways, I let them free range yesterday while I fully cleaned out the entire coop. Took everything out, sprayed the whole coop (floor, walls, outside walls, roof, roosts, everything) and the run down with Poultry Protector then put a bit of DE and Sweet PDZ down in the coop floor and DE in the nest boxes then a really thick layer of pine shavings over all of that, used the entire bag between the nest boxes and coop floor. Then I sprayed them with Poultry Protector too. Some let me do the whole thing and others fought it more so that I wasn't able to get under wings really. But so far today they seem much much better and happier. But anyways, I guess my question, since I saw mention of antibiotics a few pages back, is if you think antibiotics are necessary for minor sneezing or if now that the coop is cleaned out any issues should rectifiy themselves???? Next on the lost is treating for possible scaly leg mites. Not entirely sure if they have it but I've had a suspicion about one for a little while so I figure it's better to treat them all just in case. Already bought the Vaseline last week. Just a matter of if they're gonna let me wash their legs off and apply it. Probably not. That should be fun. Thinking of wrapping them tightly but not too tight in a towel so that theu can't flap their wings and get free and possibly coming up with some sort of a blindfold so they can't see as from what I've heard from animal shows and such, not being able to see or get free generally calms most other animals down so we'll see if it works on the chickens. And I noticed a couple days ago, Tuesday I think, that one of the chickens also managed to chip her beak somehow. No clue how. So gotta treat that too. Picked up some Vetericyn spray today. Fortunately, she appears to still be able to eat perfectly fine, wven eating treats like a pig still, and it appears to just be a surface layer peeling/chip type thing rather than a really bad issue. But still annoying. Ugh. Lots of issues this week. But I suppose I'm lucky that we have had zero issues the whole time I have had them except losing the one chick at 6 days and one hawk attack when I wasn't looking last month (and even then, everyone made it home and zero injuries except one chicken losing lots of feathers and being terrified). It's just kind of annoying everything happens at once.... Guess that's how it goes thoug . When it rains it pours. Although they all seem healthy so fortunately it's minor issues, if it's even an issue at all, and of course it wouldn't have occurred if I hadn't gotten behind on cleaning but I wasn't even that far behind. Chickens I guess.

 

[aart]

You would be amazed at what full grown chickens can fit through. My Buff Orp managed to get through a 4 x 6ish hole in an electric poultry net yesterday. Not much substance under all those feathers!

Indeed!! When I was testing my chick doors, had a full grown bird get thru a 4x4" opening......had to tighten up the chick doors down to 3".

 

[junebuggena]

I was a little behind on changing the coop so a couple sneezed a couple times but nothing major I noticed and I think we may be having minor mite troubles or knats (sp?) Because they seem to be scratching semi a lot lately because I stopped putting DE in the coop and run a couple weeks ago (never had any issues when I was using it) but anyways, I let them free range yesterday while I fully cleaned out the entire coop. Took everything out, sprayed the whole coop (floor, walls, outside walls, roof, roosts, everything) and the run down with Poultry Protector then put a bit of DE and Sweet PDZ down in the coop floor and DE in the nest boxes then a really thick layer of pine shavings over all of that, used the entire bag between the nest boxes and coop floor. Then I sprayed them with Poultry Protector too. Some let me do the whole thing and others fought it more so that I wasn't able to get under wings really. But so far today they seem much much better and happier. But anyways, I guess my question, since I saw mention of antibiotics a few pages back, is if you think antibiotics are necessary for minor sneezing or if now that the coop is cleaned out any issues should rectifiy themselves???? Next on the lost is treating for possible scaly leg mites. Not entirely sure if they have it but I've had a suspicion about one for a little while so I figure it's better to treat them all just in case. Already bought the Vaseline last week. Just a matter of if they're gonna let me wash their legs off and apply it. Probably not. That should be fun. Thinking of wrapping them tightly but not too tight in a towel so that theu can't flap their wings and get free and possibly coming up with some sort of a blindfold so they can't see as from what I've heard from animal shows and such, not being able to see or get free generally calms most other animals down so we'll see if it works on the chickens. And I noticed a couple days ago, Tuesday I think, that one of the chickens also managed to chip her beak somehow. No clue how. So gotta treat that too. Picked up some Vetericyn spray today. Fortunately, she appears to still be able to eat perfectly fine, wven eating treats like a pig still, and it appears to just be a surface layer peeling/chip type thing rather than a really bad issue. But still annoying. Ugh. Lots of issues this week. But I suppose I'm lucky that we have had zero issues the whole time I have had them except losing the one chick at 6 days and one hawk attack when I wasn't looking last month (and even then, everyone made it home and zero injuries except one chicken losing lots of feathers and being terrified). It's just kind of annoying everything happens at once.... Guess that's how it goes thoug . When it rains it pours. Although they all seem healthy so fortunately it's minor issues, if it's even an issue at all, and of course it wouldn't have occurred if I hadn't gotten behind on cleaning but I wasn't even that far behind. Chickens I guess.

Reserve the use of antibiotics for when you have truly ill birds. Treating every little thing isn't necessary. And if your birds are young, and seem a bit itchy, it could just be one of the many juvenile molts that chickens go through during their first 4 months. Random sneezing is attributed to dust and other particulates in the air.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Reserve the use of antibiotics for when you have truly ill birds. Treating every little thing isn't necessary. And if your birds are young, and seem a bit itchy, it could just be one of the many juvenile molts that chickens go through during their first 4 months. Random sneezing is attributed to dust and other particulates in the air.

Thank you!!! Glad to know they are not necessarily sick or something I did. I won't treat it then. They seem fine today. Although actually I think I maybe said the wrong thing, there were a couple little coughs too and almost a hoarseness or squeaky sound?? That's why I wasn't sure. Said the wrong thing. Though of course there was some sneezing too. But even with the little coughs they don't look or act sick. I think it was just cause I was behind on cleaning the coop and it smelled but I hope they didn't develop anything that needs treating. If they did they'd be acting sick too, right?? As for the juvenile molt thing they hatched October 26th so are almost 7 months old now so I think they are done with that? But maybe they still do little molting here and there. Thanks for your help. I think the only thing I will definitely treat is the scaly leg mites since I'm pretty positive one has it and that just entails Vaseline rather than really treatment or medicine and then the chipped beak issue. Thanks.

 

[Victoria-nola]

Quote: Recommend you add probiotics to their water if you haven't already. It strengthens them against respiratory worries. Also, I use an enzyme spray that kills mites and other insects, called Kleen Green. They have a poultry-specific product with info on use with poultry, click on "additional information" to get tons of info: http://www.naturalginesis.com/poultry-zyme/

I use this product throughout the house, and it's safe for humans to bathe in (kills lice and scabies). What I am uncertain about is whether the Poultry-Zyme product is a concentrate or ready-mix and couldn't get them on the phone today to find out. The Kleen Green is, afaik, the same product in concentrate form, which is what I buy and use. For years.

You can use it at one concentration for odors, and for a more concentrated dilution to kill insects. Kills fleas on contact, excellent to dip flea combs into, wash animals in, will kill on floors and furniture. I have no financial interest in this company, they just simply have an amazing product that I use a lot.

best wishes,
--Victoria

 

[ShrekDawg]

Recommend you add probiotics to their water if you haven't already.  It strengthens them against respiratory worries.  Also, I use an enzyme spray that kills mites and other insects, called Kleen Green.  They have a poultry-specific product with info on use with poultry, click on "additional information" to get tons of info: http://www.naturalginesis.com/poultry-zyme/

I use this product throughout the house, and it's safe for humans to bathe in (kills lice and scabies).  What I am uncertain about is whether the Poultry-Zyme product is a concentrate or ready-mix and couldn't get them on the phone today to find out.  The Kleen Green is, afaik, the same product in concentrate form, which is what I buy and use.  For years.  

You can use it at one concentration for odors, and for a more concentrated dilution to kill insects.  Kills fleas on contact, excellent to dip flea combs into, wash animals in, will kill on floors and furniture.  I have no financial interest in this company, they just simply have an amazing product that I use a lot.

best wishes,
--Victoria

Thank you!!! I will definitely add some probiotics!! I'll look into that product too, seems like awesome stuff.

 

[Liddy]

The chicks are loving MHP! Yesterday and last night were warmer and when I went out to tuck everyone in, the li'l peeps were huddled outside the cave. This morning they were all inside. They are managing their own needs quite well on their own. I feel so much better without forcing them to deal with a heat lamp!

However, mid-week I made the tactical error of cleaning the brooder with them in it. With seven of them racing around, I lost track of where they were. It wasn't until the following day, when I came home from work, that I discovered I had set the frame on top of one and killed her.

I am now putting them in a bucket when I move any of their furnishings.

as

The chicks are supposed to be all pullets. However, two of the remaining 6 have really short wings compared to the other four. I am going to keep a close eye on them because I associate the short wings with males.

You can see the dramatic difference in the photo above, where the chick in the center has much shorter wing feathers than the one on the left. Only the light-colored one in the left rear has the little cheek puffs that my EE hen had when she arrived from Myers last August.

First Flock was also acquired as chicks but the 36 of them spent their first two weeks in a kiddie pool in an upstairs bedroom and I wasn't able to really spend time looking them over or getting to know them as individuals. This brooder is waist-high, elevated between the two coops and it is really easy for me to lean on my elbows to block their escape out the door and play with them. MUCH better, IMO.

 

[dyorto]

I was very happy to count heads tonight and find all of my 8 week old chicks sleeping up in the roost. Since I moved them to the new coop they have been trying to all sleep piled on the 5 gallon water bucket.

 

[Blooie]

I was very happy to count heads tonight and find all of my 8 week old chicks sleeping up in the roost. Since I moved them to the new coop they have been trying to all sleep piled on the 5 gallon water bucket.

Sounds like we both had a day where we suddenly realize that our babies aren't babies anymore! Mine are now fully integrated with the Bigs, even Little Sluf, the little Naked Neck who is just a couple of weeks old.

Outdoors. Today was the first day where the portals were opened first thing in the morning and will remain open from now on. They will be "evicted" by Wednesday or Thursday. I have new chicks coming (both hatching and ordered) and they'll need the brooder. Sluf will stay in with the new chicks, though. He can show them the ropes and he's still kinda young.

No issues at all. They all get along just great. The Littles found the underside of the log right away, but now with the portal doors installed they head for "home" if they get spooked. They are doing so well! Love brooding outside!!