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

[lpyrbby]

Well, didn't get the babies out in the pen today because we got a late start on pretty much everything. But, I'm ready for them tomorrow, I think!

Quick question - Does it need to be set on low? (I have low/med/high) They're 4 weeks old now and mostly feathered. Still have some on their head and back to go. 50s during the day, 30s at night.

Anywho, some photos. Sharing in case there's something else I need to do.

 

[casportpony]

Well, didn't get the babies out in the pen today because we got a late start on pretty much everything. But, I'm ready for them tomorrow, I think!

Quick question - Does it need to be set on low? (I have low/med/high) They're 4 weeks old now and mostly feathered. Still have some on their head and back to go. 50s during the day, 30s at night.

Anywho, some photos. Sharing in case there's something else I need to do.

Very clever!

 

[Rwood5093]

We put the babies out today. It was so windy today, but I tried to block the wind with blankets and plastic. I decided to leave them out all night and I'm sitting here feeling guilty, lol. My MHP was fluctuating like crazy. Medium and high were like 100 and 110, but then it would drop down to 85. So now I have it on low and it's a comfy 98 to 100. We are going to check around 10pm and bump it up if necessary. Hopefully they're smart enough to shuffle around if they're too warm. We are prepared to bring them in if their little chicken Popsicles.

 

[lpyrbby]

Very clever!

Thank you!

We put the babies out today. It was so windy today, but I tried to block the wind with blankets and plastic. I decided to leave them out all night and I'm sitting here feeling guilty, lol. My MHP was fluctuating like crazy. Medium and high were like 100 and 110, but then it would drop down to 85. So now I have it on low and it's a comfy 98 to 100. We are going to check around 10pm and bump it up if necessary. Hopefully they're smart enough to shuffle around if they're too warm. We are prepared to bring them in if their little chicken Popsicles.

Thanks for sharing your opinion on the temps! It's time for me to go out and check on the heating pad again. Since I couldn't put them in today, figured I could still do a test run with it tonight

 

[junebuggena]

Well, didn't get the babies out in the pen today because we got a late start on pretty much everything. But, I'm ready for them tomorrow, I think!

Quick question - Does it need to be set on low? (I have low/med/high) They're 4 weeks old now and mostly feathered. Still have some on their head and back to go. 50s during the day, 30s at night.

Anywho, some photos. Sharing in case there's something else I need to do.

I wouldn't use any heat at all for chicks that age. Just the box to huddle in for warmth.

 

[lpyrbby]

I wouldn't use any heat at all for chicks that age. Just the box to huddle in for warmth.

Since they haven't had a chance to experience the temps yet, I'll let them have some heat and give them a week before I remove it. Makes me feel better anyway lol

It does look like one of my chicks is suddenly not doing so well though. Not horrible, but not herself tonight. So, I suppose I'm kinda glad I didn't push them outside yet. I gave her a bit of nutridrench and put her back under the heat plate for now. We'll see how things look tomorrow but the rest will go out, at least.

 

[lpyrbby]

And now I have other chicken peeps on my FB warning me it's a mistake to put them outside and that I'm probably going to lose them all if I do

I'm still going to put them out but sheesh. I feel so conflicted sometimes.

 

[ShrekDawg]

And now I have other chicken peeps on my FB warning me it's a mistake to put them outside and that I'm probably going to lose them all if I do   I'm still going to put them out but sheesh. I feel so conflicted sometimes. 

Lots of people still buy into the "they must be kept at 95 degrees at all times and lower it 5 degrees every week until fully feathered 8 weeks or they will die" but in reality, they will probably be fine.

Although I will say I would probably put it on medium instead of low, although maybe not with that many chicks. And at 4 weeks old I would raise it up a little higher, can they still fit?

 

[lpyrbby]

Lots of people still buy into the "they must be kept at 95 degrees at all times and lower it 5 degrees every week until fully feathered 8 weeks or they will die" but in reality, they will probably be fine.

Although I will say I would probably put it on medium instead of low, although maybe not with that many chicks. And at 4 weeks old I would raise it up a little higher, can they still fit?

She said she's tried it and it ended badly for her. Not sure if she supplied a heat source or not. I feel extra bad digging in my heels since half the chicks came from her.

I think they'll fit. I have the flakes kinda fluffed under there now. It's elevated on a couple of bricks as well, and not as low as it looks in the "build" photos. Honestly, all the photos make everything in that pen look smaller than it is in real life

There's also room in the back that can't be seen well for an escape route, just in case. I do think I'm going to have to rethink the cage as a whole. If they start trying to rest on top of it, it's not going to hold a good majority of them at one time. I'm going to try to get them out as early as is reasonable tomorrow so I can watch them and try to head off any problems before they become a thing. And also hope like h3ll that they thrive so the breeder doesn't freak out on me. She's got a couple more breeds that I want so I'd like to stay on good terms.

 

[myfivegirls]

@Blooie We have not seen you on the incubating thread for awhile.
I have a question. Will this pad work?

Sunbeam 732-500 King Size Heating Pad with UltraHeatTechnology

I've used this pad during late spring & all summer in upstate NY's crazy variable outdoor temps.