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

[SunHwaKwon]

Didja miss me? Probably not!

So many friendly and helpful people have this MHP thing down to a science and I never worry about questions going unanswered if I'm not here!

I saw some good advice about this thread on another thread - I think it was @Merrymouse - recommended that folks start at the end and work their way back because of how the method has evolved. In the beginning @azygous predicted that this would be a long lived, active thread for sometime to come....boy, was she right!

Keep those chick pictures coming....I'm skipping chicks this year <gasp, shudder> so I have live vicariously through all of you!

I didn't even know that was an option

 

[Blooie]

I didn't even know that was an option

I know, right???

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
been four years for me give or take

 

[jessnurse05]

I never worry about the thermometer readings.  The first time I was asked about it I put a wireless in there out of curiosity, and it read 82.5 degrees in a 69 degree room.  Hmm, the chicks that had already been in there should have been dead but there they were at several days old having a blast.  One of the hardest things to get out of with MHP is that 95 degrees the first week, down by 5 degrees each week after.  It doesn't apply.  The chicks are getting the warmth directly on them right at their backs and do a great job of self-regulating their comfort.

The only time I use the heating pad on high is for the first couple of days, but remember that I brood chicks directly outdoors and here our springtime chick season temperatures are still dipping into the teens and twenties.  When I brood in the house 4 or 5 is plenty for the first few days.  The chicks will let you know what they need -too hot and they will hang right at the front or won't go under at all.  Too cold and they'll huddle in a knot together and get as far back under as they can.

My chicks are 4-5 weeks old and mostly feathered, but they are also outside and the temps have been down around 20 overnight. I currently have it on high, but would you have it lower? Mine only has 3 temps so maybe I'll turn it down to medium tonight. They have been going under it at night, but they stay close to the front.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

My chicks are 4-5 weeks old and mostly feathered, but they are also outside and the temps have been down around 20 overnight. I currently have it on high, but would you have it lower? Mine only has 3 temps so maybe I'll turn it down to medium tonight. They have been going under it at night, but they stay close to the front.

My chicks are 4-5 weeks and not even sleeping under their mama anymore. Our temps are similar. You can definitely lower it, especially if they are staying close to the front.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

been four years for me give or take

I don't know if I should be proud that you kicked the habit, or feel sad for you. lol

 

[jessnurse05]

My chicks are 4-5 weeks and not even sleeping under their mama anymore. Our temps are similar. You can definitely lower it, especially if they are staying close to the front.

Thanks! I'll turn it down tonight and monitor them this week.

 

[debid]

New MHP in use! I took the new chicks from the travel box, tapped beaks to the water nipple, and waited. They started getting louder after a bit of exploring so I put a couple under the MHP and the rest followed. Silence. And now they're pros. Easy-peasy!

I managed to get my camera down where I could sneak a peek...

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

New MHP in use! I took the new chicks from the travel box, tapped beaks to the water nipple, and waited. They started getting louder after a bit of exploring so I put a couple under the MHP and the rest followed. Silence. And now they're pros. Easy-peasy!

I managed to get my camera down where I could sneak a peek...

Happy babies!!!!!!

 

[debid]

It's 23F this AM. I went out to peek at the chicks and to check if their nipple waterer was frozen at all. Water is liquid, nipple works. Chicks are in a crescent around the lower part of the cave. I could see all their faces so they backed in until snug to sleep. They made happy little peeps at me and were quiet again when I closed the door. It's so different from how they were with the heat lamp!

ETA: pad is on "high", chicks are from 3 to 10 days old.