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

[Blooie]

That is only going to be enough room for about a week or two. One of the drawbacks of this brooding method is how much space the pad takes up.

Oh, yes!!! I try to remember to tell folks that it takes a good 18square inches to 2 square feet to set it up right, and maybe a little more for those who leave both ends open!! Good point!

 

[Merrymouse]

@Molpet Its 3x4 so 12 sq ft. So that should hold 16 chicks for a week or two correct? I'm hoping the weather clears a little as we only have a few more details to finish the coop and the plan is to get them in the coop asap.

I will make the cardboard higher.

I was afraid to just use the bungees on the outside of the pillow case because the pad was shifting around. Its ok that I used two right? Thanks for your input

 

[Merrymouse]

Merrymouse:

Your MHP set up looks awesome! We will try and do the same. You are on a short countdown to the arrival date, can't wait to read your account along with pictures! How is the progress on your coop going??? BB

Thanks

chicks are due to ship to me from Meyer on Monday but a big nor'easter with 20" of snow is due to start here one Tuesday which is making me very nervous. Coop is so close to being done. The run is going to take a little more time because we have to lay the hardware cloth skirt and back fill but the weather has not been cooperating. The coop part only has a few more small details, one is to lay the linoleum but at -13F with wind chill today the adhesive will not work so brooder indoors for hopefully just a little while. Thanks for following my newbie journey with chicks!

 

[aart]

@Molpet Its 3x4 so 12 sq ft. So that should hold 16 chicks for a week or two correct? I'm hoping the weather clears a little as we only have a few more details to finish the coop and the plan is to get them in the coop asap.

I will make the cardboard higher.

I was afraid to just use the bungees on the outside of the pillow case because the pad was shifting around. Its ok that I used two right? Thanks for your input

Use how ever many bungies will work.
You could use a series of 1x boards to raise height as needed.
Most DIY stuff, especially the MHP, is 'observe and adjust'.
Height adjustment and span strength are the biggest issues....oh and nooks and crannies suicides.

 

[Molpet]

@Molpet Its 3x4 so 12 sq ft. So that should hold 16 chicks for a week or two correct? I'm hoping the weather clears a little as we only have a few more details to finish the coop and the plan is to get them in the coop asap.

I will make the cardboard higher.

I was afraid to just use the bungees on the outside of the pillow case because the pad was shifting around. Its ok that I used two right? Thanks for your input

looked smaller in pic .. the bar spacing might be too wide though, (mine that big, for the dog, has2" spacing)...might need more cardboard or 1" or less wire.. my chicks were escape artist

should be good for a couple of weeks..

two bungees worked for me, maybe one inside if it's shifting....but what works for you may be different.

 

[Merrymouse]

Oh, yes!!! I try to remember to tell folks that it takes a good 18square inches to 2 square feet to set it up right, and maybe a little more for those who leave both ends open!! Good point!

Yes, but they can hang out on top of the MHP too! So its not totally lost space. If you think of it that way the MHP makes more room for them because they can be under and on top

This seems awesome but I will admit it doesnt seem all that warm, I'm sure its fine for in the house but its so so so cold here outside I admit I would be super nervous leaving brand new babies outside in the coop in this weather. So maybe its good my coop isn't 100% done yet, gives me a good excuse to have them inside for a little bit so I can hover over them and watch them

Thanks for sharing your expertise with a newbie

 

[Molpet]

Thanks

chicks are due to ship to me from Meyer on Monday but a big nor'easter with 20" of snow is due to start here one Tuesday which is making me very nervous. Coop is so close to being done. The run is going to take a little more time because we have to lay the hardware cloth skirt and back fill but the weather has not been cooperating. The coop part only has a few more small details, one is to lay the linoleum but at -13F with wind chill today the adhesive will not work so brooder indoors for hopefully just a little while. Thanks for following my newbie journey with chicks!

I just stapled the 2' apron to the ground with 6" landscape pins.. the grass grows through it and can't be seen.. I mow high so no issues, except the pins did come up about 1" this winter, but easy to fix... and the chickens mow the grass anyway

 

[Merrymouse]

I just stapled the 2' apron to the ground with 6" landscape pins.. the grass grows through it and can't be seen.. I mow high so no issues, except the pins did come up about 1" this winter, but easy to fix... and the chickens mow the grass anyway

Yes, thats the plan but the real issue is my land is not level so part of the run is almost 18" off the ground on footers. So we have 6 yards of loam coming to fill it to level before we can easily install the hardware cloth skirt. But the loam guy wont deliver yet as his pile of loam is frozen

I really, really, really wanted it delivered today and finish up the run but its -13 thats pretty cold with the wind blowing. So the weather is not my friend this weekend. Last weekend was the same. Its a bummer but just one of the hurdles about living in New England and doing something dumb like building a coop in winter

 

[Molpet]

Yes, thats the plan but the real issue is my land is not level so part of the run is almost 18" off the ground on footers. So we have 6 yards of loam coming to fill it to level before we can easily install the hardware cloth skirt. But the loam guy wont deliver yet as his pile of loam is frozen

I really, really, really wanted it delivered today and finish up the run but its -13 thats pretty cold with the wind blowing. So the weather is not my friend this weekend. Last weekend was the same. Its a bummer but just one of the hurdles about living in New England and doing something dumb like building a coop in winter

I feel for you... I gave up unless it's above freezing and sunny

I am trying to build a small hoop coop and while the temps were warm ground was too wet.. now it's cold and snow coming.
took me all winter to build a big one last year and it was a very mild winter..., a small one in the spring took a month....but its just me so I don't push it either.

 

[pioneerchick816]

What is an acceptable temperature under there? Does it have to be up to the "95" degrees? I don't have the chicks yet or have any flakes on the floor & it's reading about 80 degrees. Just was wondering. I've never used this method before but am super excited to see how they like it