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

[ChickNanny13]

Hi there! I've been considering raising a few backyard chickens with my family for a couple of years and decided to finally do it. My 2 1/2 year old's favorite part of our local farm is visiting the chicken house, so I know she's going to be thrilled. Anyway, I plan to keep the baby chicks in the house until they've feathered but being the over-cautious person I am, I began to worry about the heat lamps and fire hazards, so I google "raising baby chicks with a heating pad instead of lamp" and low and behold I came across this thread! I just realized about an hour ago that it's almost 900 pages long! So please forgive me if this has been asked before but I see that the recommended heating pad is this sunbeam https://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-2013-912-XpressHeat-Heating-Extra/dp/B005NZ66KU/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1425566319&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=Sunbeam%2Bx-tra%2Blarge%2Bheating%2Bpad&th=1 However, I actually had already ordered this one: https://www.amazon.com/PureRelief-F...TV86/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1

Do you happen to remember if anyone has had success with pads other than the Sunbeam? This one has mostly good reviews but only 700 something as opposed to the thousands of sunbeam reviews. The few 1 star reviews say that the heat isn't as hot as expected but I'm wondering if this will be an issue since my chicks will be indoors. Any advice or opinions on this one would be very helpful! I do know that it has a continuous heat option. You really should be able to charge for your MHP advice! Thanks for being so helpful and willing to share!

I just read the specs on the one you ordered, there's an automatic 2hr shut off. You need the one that does NOT shut off, chicks require constant heat. You may want to cancel the order, making sure you get on that does not have the automatic shut off.

The Sunbeam recommended has a choice from what I read, I purchased the Sunbeam 732-500 as it does not have the 2hr shut off. Works for me.

 

[chickieschicks]

Thanks, it does have an auto-shut off option but it can be disabled so that it runs continuously. I'm more concerned about whether or not it will get hot enough.

 

[The Golden Egg5]

Mine have been on medium in their outdoor brooder with nights in the teens and are doing fine. I usually turn it down once I notice they are spending more time on top or only partly underneath it.

Watch the chicks. If they are spending more time on top of the pad or out and about, it's a pretty safe bet that you can safely reduce the heat. If they are still spending most of their time under the pad, only coming out for a quick bite to eat or drink before ducking back under for a warm up, they aren't ready for a reduction in heat.

Ok! Thank you! They are still spending quite a bit of time under it and it is supposed to get into the single digits this week, so I will keep it on the highest mode.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Thanks, it does have an auto-shut off option but it can be disabled so that it runs continuously. I'm more concerned about whether or not it will get hot enough.

Sorry, didn't see that feature, went back to check & saw it. Have fun with you chicks.

 

[aart]

I have about .5 to 1" of height adjustability with each size bolt. Again, fully threaded bolts would be better but this was cheaper. I used 3/8" hardware to save on weight and cost but you can certainly fit 7/16 or probably 1/2"

1/4" dia bolts would be plenty...carriage bolts are full threaded, can get them cheap in bulk at TSC up to 4" long (I think). A couple pieces of wood and Tnuts(Ace hardware~0.50/ea) eliminate the need for a wrench to adjust.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate

I just ordered one of those racks thanks to @lprby(didn't get that right, but she knows who she is) gonna rebuild.

 

[chickieschicks]

No problem, just wondering if anyone on the thread remembers someone having success or an issue with an "off-brand." I was about to cancel the order and just go with the tried and true Sunbeam but I see that it already shipped. Maybe I'll turn it on when it comes Monday and see how it does after it's running for a while.

 

[aart]

No problem, just wondering if anyone on the thread remembers someone having success or an issue with an "off-brand." I was about to cancel the order and just go with the tried and true Sunbeam but I see that it already shipped. Maybe I'll turn it on when it comes Monday and see how it does after it's running for a while.

I used an old one first time out....it worked fine....others have used other brands too.
The varied heat settings and larger size of the 'fav' convinced me to buy one of those.

 

[chickieschicks]

Thanks! This one is the same large size and also has the numbered settings. I think I'll give it a go and just keep a close eye to make sure it's doing its job.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

1/4" dia bolts would be plenty...carriage bolts are full threaded, can get them cheap in bulk at TSC up to 4"  long (I think). A couple pieces of wood and Tnuts(Ace hardware~0.50/ea) eliminate the need for a wrench to adjust.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate

I just ordered one of those racks thanks to @lprby(didn't get that right, but she knows who she is) gonna rebuild.

No need for a wrench, I just use my fingers. To make adjustments, just hold both nuts and turn the bolt (instead of turning each nut individually). I didn't think to look at carriage bolts; I suppose the rounded heads wouldn't be significantly less sturdy. Now that I actually have the bolts I should have bought some even longer than the 5" because once you have the pad underneath and have needing built up you lose some height. Oh and if you go with quarter inch I think you'll want to make sure to go with fender washers. Personally I prefer fatter legs on it with a bit more footprint.

 

[barred2rock]

No problem, just wondering if anyone on the thread remembers someone having success or an issue with an "off-brand." I was about to cancel the order and just go with the tried and true Sunbeam but I see that it already shipped. Maybe I'll turn it on when it comes Monday and see how it does after it's running for a while.

Just remember, they get their heat through contact with the pad. The temperature in the "cave" won't be all that warm (maybe in the 80s), like they'd be with a broody hen.

-James