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

[The Golden Egg5]

Does anybody have any good ideas of what to use as the frame? Also could you include pictures if possible of any possible sturdy frames?

 

[aart]

Does anybody have any good ideas of what to use as the frame? Also could you include pictures if possible of any possible sturdy frames?

If you're on the 'desktop' version, you can go to the upper right hand sidebar and view all the images.
Not sure how to do that on mobile version.

 

[The Golden Egg5]

If you're on the 'desktop' version, you can go to the upper right hand sidebar and view all the images.
Not sure how to do that on mobile version.

I am on mobile version. That is great to know! I will go look on my computer later when I have time. Thank you!

 

[jessnurse05]

Does anybody have any good ideas of what to use as the frame? Also could you include pictures if possible of any possible sturdy frames?

I just used some 1/2" hardware cloth for mine. I covered all of the edges with masking tape, but something a little thicker like duct tape would probably be better. My chicks have not hurt themselves on it though, so it works well enough. I thought I had pics of the wire itself, but I can't find them. I bent the wire to shape and put the heating pad on top of it and a towel on top of that. Here are the chicks standing on top of it. It's sturdy enough that they don't smash it down.





Here they are underneath.



I can try to get a pic of the wire tomorrow, but the chickies are sleeping right now

 

[The Golden Egg5]

I just used some 1/2" hardware cloth for mine. I covered all of the edges with masking tape, but something a little thicker like duct tape would probably be better. My chicks have not hurt themselves on it though, so it works well enough. I thought I had pics of the wire itself, but I can't find them. I bent the wire to shape and put the heating pad on top of it and a towel on top of that. Here are the chicks standing on top of it. It's sturdy enough that they don't smash it down. Here they are underneath. I can try to get a pic of the wire tomorrow, but the chickies are sleeping right now

Aww your chicks are so cute! thank you so much! I think I might have some hardware cloth, but I hope it is the right size. I will go check later today.

 

[debid]

So far, so good. I have a sturdy wire H with the front straight bit longer than the back. This is underneath the pad so it is suspended down the center. I could have more support underneath but I think it might be better if they can push up on the pad a bit and have it snug back down on them? I added a scrap of hardware cloth on the top of the pad. This is attached in front and back to my H frame so any chicks standing on top don't push the pad down and it effectively secures the pad in place. I snipped the corners of the pad cover so the wire ends go through and put the cover it came with back on. I am going to stitch the opening shut to eliminate any chance of chicks getting inside. Wire "feet" are taped so no sharpness from cut ends.

I happen to have old cloth diapers so I have two to stitch together for an insulating layer on top. I will then use press & seal on the top.

Anyone see needed changes or issues I didn't think of?

 

[Blooie]

The only thing I would say is that if it's flexible enough to move up and down when they move against it, it's probably going to be too flexible. The chicks, especially when they get a little bit bigger, will spend a lot of time on top of it, napping, playing "king of the mountain", and jumping up and down. So make absolutely sure it can't come down or sag down on the chicks below.

 

[debid]

The only thing I would say is that if it's flexible enough to move up and down when they move against it, it's probably going to be too flexible.  The chicks, especially when they get a little bit bigger, will spend a lot of time on top of it, napping, playing "king of the mountain", and jumping up and down.  So make absolutely sure it can't come down or sag down on the chicks below.  

The top is rigid, it's just the pad that hangs under that can yield if you push up. I'm not sure if that's OK or not?

OK, I added an X to my H. It's not going anywhere now.

 

[Blooie]

Well, Duh, Blooie! I sure misunderstood your post, didn't I?

Sorry!

The thing you have to watch for with anything loose or sagging is that the chicks don't get caught up between the layers. Check this page, about halfway down, for some really nice clear photos of how to put it together when the pad is on the inside. That's the way I do it now, too. When I started this thread, I was still learning as I went along and was draping the pad over the top then covering it. I never lost chick to trapping, but others did and one lost chick is one too many. @Beekissed clear photos helped me a lot.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update/450

 

[debid]

OK, so the drape in front isn't all that important. I can easily put a diaper or two inside the cover instead of outside and then there won't be anywhere for them to get stuck in between. It still serves as a bit of insulation on top of the fencing. I'm absolutely cracking up that toddler prefold diapers are exactly the right size for this...