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

[jessnurse05]

So the consensus is to use the heating pad over top in some shape and not under the chicks?

When the chicks are big enough they enjoy going on top too. Being able to hide underneath or lay down on top simulates what they would have with a mama hen.

 

[aart]

So the consensus is to use the heating pad over top in some shape and not under the chicks?

Yes, it is emulating a heating plate such as those made by Brinsea Eco Glow or Premiere heat plate

 

[cjpeeps]

Hi, I've been subbed for a while. I'm not sure the best place to post but as this is the method of brooding we are going to use when we hatch, I thought I'd post here

What is your experience with the mama brooder and bedding? Is there anything with heat retention, or chick behavior? Does it even matter?

The reason I ask is, when we were at the feed store recently pricing supplies, I asked where the pine pellets were, thinking we would use them when the chicks got older. I'd also heard of people using them with paper towels over the top to protect little feet. I had used them before keeping small mammals and found they reduced odor and dust significantly. Anyway, the feed store assistant, bless her, asked me what we needed them for, I tried to explain and she just about lost her mind when I told her what I intended. She kept saying that chicks eat everything, that they would eat the pine pellets, the paper towels, the pine shavings (yet pine shavings are ok to ingest? The feed store were using them in the tanks with glass bottoms and I noticed more than a few chicks with spraddle leg. It wasn't exactly inspiring confidence) It was a bit bewildering because having kept chicks before I know they very quickly figure out what is food and what isn't, and I'd never had a chick eat paper towels before.

I guess I'm just left feeling a bit bewildered by the whole experience - have I missed something important since I last kept chicks? If I have please let me know. Also let me know if you've found one type of bedding better than others with the mama heating pad brooder. Happy to tweak the plans so that we're ready when they hatch. Many thanks!

 

[Smuvers Farm]

If you don't mind me asking, where were you in Texas? We just moved here to NC from Houston! It is certainly a big change.

We were in EL Paso for 7 years, military. We're now is West KY/TN border.

 

[jessnurse05]

Hi, I've been subbed for a while. I'm not sure the best place to post but as this is the method of brooding we are going to use when we hatch, I thought I'd post here

What is your experience with the mama brooder and bedding? Is there anything with heat retention, or chick behavior? Does it even matter?

The reason I ask is, when we were at the feed store recently pricing supplies, I asked where the pine pellets were, thinking we would use them when the chicks got older. I'd also heard of people using them with paper towels over the top to protect little feet. I had used them before keeping small mammals and found they reduced odor and dust significantly. Anyway, the feed store assistant, bless her, asked me what we needed them for, I tried to explain and she just about lost her mind when I told her what I intended. She kept saying that chicks eat everything, that they would eat the pine pellets, the paper towels, the pine shavings (yet pine shavings are ok to ingest? The feed store were using them in the tanks with glass bottoms and I noticed more than a few chicks with spraddle leg. It wasn't exactly inspiring confidence) It was a bit bewildering because having kept chicks before I know they very quickly figure out what is food and what isn't, and I'd never had a chick eat paper towels before.

I guess I'm just left feeling a bit bewildered by the whole experience - have I missed something important since I last kept chicks? If I have please let me know. Also let me know if you've found one type of bedding better than others with the mama heating pad brooder. Happy to tweak the plans so that we're ready when they hatch. Many thanks!

I don't know if I can answer all of your questions, but I can tell you what I've done. This is my first year hatching chicks and I'm on the 3rd batch! For the first 2 that hatched I did paper towels for 2 days because I heard that they would eat the pine shavings. Then I put in pine shavings and ditched the paper towels. They pecked at the shavings but they didn't eat anything significant from them. The next batch hatched a week later and went into the same brooder so they started on the shavings and they were just fine. Shavings blow EVERYWHERE since I'm using a dog kennel as a brooder (reinforced with hardware cloth) so I switched to straw once the little chicks were a few days old and were running and hopping all over.

I'm not sure what you mean by pine pellets though. I used the big pine shavings because I had some, but I've also used the fine pine shavings that the feed store sells in a bag by the cubic foot and they have been fine on those too.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

HELP HELP HELP............. maybe.

As this is my first hatchlings (about 3 days old?), I am a nervous FluffButt Momma. I can't get my 8 OFF the MHP! There are at least 4 who slept inside the ChickCave while 4 who slept on top. OK no worries.

Now ALL of them are sleeping on top. They've been kicking, scratching and pecking at the bedding on top of the ChickCave, until they uncover the press and sealed towel. However, it doesn't seem like they wanna get off! I've put them down back to the food and water but as soon as I do, BAM.... they're back on top.

What I know so far:

1. They have eaten at least once from their feeder (as we saw them do it, and we see the food scattered all over the brick)
2. We're not sure whether or not they've drank any water, although they've all had their beaks up to the nipples at least twice.
3. Right now, the inside of the ChickCave is a balmy 86°F, not sure about the top.

So, tips? Advice? Reassurance!!!

~D

 

[Molpet]

HELP HELP HELP............. maybe.

As this is my first hatchlings (about 3 days old?), I am a nervous FluffButt Momma. I can't get my 8 OFF the MHP! There are at least 4 who slept inside the ChickCave while 4 who slept on top. OK no worries.

Now ALL of them are sleeping on top. They've been kicking, scratching and pecking at the bedding on top of the ChickCave, until they uncover the press and sealed towel. However, it doesn't seem like they wanna get off! I've put them down back to the food and water but as soon as I do, BAM.... they're back on top.

What I know so far:

1. They have eaten at least once from their feeder (as we saw them do it, and we see the food scattered all over the brick)
2. We're not sure whether or not they've drank any water, although they've all had their beaks up to the nipples at least twice.
3. Right now, the inside of the ChickCave is a balmy 86°F, not sure about the top.

So, tips? Advice? Reassurance!!!

~D

it maybe too hot if they sleep at night on top... mine liked to nap and play king of the mountian on top during the day

 

[Molpet]

I don't know if I can answer all of your questions, but I can tell you what I've done. This is my first year hatching chicks and I'm on the 3rd batch! For the first 2 that hatched I did paper towels for 2 days because I heard that they would eat the pine shavings. Then I put in pine shavings and ditched the paper towels. They pecked at the shavings but they didn't eat anything significant from them. The next batch hatched a week later and went into the same brooder so they started on the shavings and they were just fine. Shavings blow EVERYWHERE since I'm using a dog kennel as a brooder (reinforced with hardware cloth) so I switched to straw once the little chicks were a few days old and were running and hopping all over.

I'm not sure what you mean by pine pellets though. I used the big pine shavings because I had some, but I've also used the fine pine shavings that the feed store sells in a bag by the cubic foot and they have been fine on those too.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/equine-fresh-pine-pellet-stall-bedding-40-lb

 

[Smuvers Farm]

it maybe too hot if they sleep at night on top... mine liked to nap and play king of the mountian on top during the day

We literally brought them home about 6 hours ago. They went into the brooder with just the food and water first. We then put the MHP ChickenCave in about 45 minutes later. They did duck in and out of if, then 4 slept inside while 4 slept on top. They all bobbed around the brooder and ended up on top where they've stayed.

 

[Molpet]

Hi, I've been subbed for a while. I'm not sure the best place to post but as this is the method of brooding we are going to use when we hatch, I thought I'd post here

What is your experience with the mama brooder and bedding? Is there anything with heat retention, or chick behavior? Does it even matter?

The reason I ask is, when we were at the feed store recently pricing supplies, I asked where the pine pellets were, thinking we would use them when the chicks got older. I'd also heard of people using them with paper towels over the top to protect little feet. I had used them before keeping small mammals and found they reduced odor and dust significantly. Anyway, the feed store assistant, bless her, asked me what we needed them for, I tried to explain and she just about lost her mind when I told her what I intended. She kept saying that chicks eat everything, that they would eat the pine pellets, the paper towels, the pine shavings (yet pine shavings are ok to ingest? The feed store were using them in the tanks with glass bottoms and I noticed more than a few chicks with spraddle leg. It wasn't exactly inspiring confidence) It was a bit bewildering because having kept chicks before I know they very quickly figure out what is food and what isn't, and I'd never had a chick eat paper towels before.

I guess I'm just left feeling a bit bewildered by the whole experience - have I missed something important since I last kept chicks? If I have please let me know. Also let me know if you've found one type of bedding better than others with the mama heating pad brooder. Happy to tweak the plans so that we're ready when they hatch. Many thanks!

I used the shavings covered in paper towel for the first week, then shavings.. I bought some pine pellets to try this year, haven't used them yet...several have been using them and thought they were good https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/164867/wood-pine-pellets-for-chicks