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

[junebuggena]

They are inside, they are quite feathered but have some fluff in spots.

Then they do not need heat.

 

[Blooie]

Then they do not need heat.

Totally agree.

 

[ChickNanny13]

3x

I used to use disposable potty pads over the top of my MHP that was in a sack I sewed for it (left over material) but the chicks shredded it & pieces are disappearing

I was horrified thinking I killed them & they were going to all die from all that plastic. Stopped using the pad & dug out the "old" hand towels that were close to being bare. That worked out great! Shake off the dried poop & soak in a bucket of water with detergent before rinsing & tossing in with my laundry

 

[oldhen2345]

I think the Barred Rocks have a yellow dot on top their head. One year I had one that had a little yellow cross on top her head. Sorry it is sideways, I can't figure out how to turn it.

 

[chickieschicks]

Okay, is it just me or are these heating pads not all that hot? I returned my off-brand yesterday and purchased the Sunbeam and this one as well just doesn't seem to have that much heat even on the highest setting. It's definitely warm, but not by any stretch of the imagination is it anywhere near feeling hot. Is this normal?! I can't remember the last time I really used one for myself so I can't remember what they are supposed to feel like. But what are the chances I could have received two defective heating pads from two different manufacturers? Maybe I'm expecting too much?? But I honestly can't see why the 1-6 temperature ratings if 6 is not even that warm.

Anyone experience the same thing, how warm or hot to the touch does everyone's pads feel? My brother has a temperature gun that he's going to bring over later...I'm so curious to see what this thing measures, no where near in the 100's as it claims to on the packaging that's for sure.

If the chicks will be fine with this just being warm than that's wonderful but it's certainly not what I was envisioning...

 

[chickieschicks]

Just came across this post:
https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/why-arent-heating-pads-hot-anymore.80865/
...read it for a good chuckle...I guess I was remembering heating pad temps from days gone by. So my burning (

) question is whether this thing is warm enough for the chicks. I'm assuming so because it's the same one that @Blooie linked and that I think many of you are using...

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Okay, is it just me or are these heating pads not all that hot? I returned my off-brand yesterday and purchased the Sunbeam and this one as well just doesn't seem to have that much heat even on the highest setting. It's definitely warm, but not by any stretch of the imagination is it anywhere near feeling hot. Is this normal?! I can't remember the last time I really used one for myself so I can't remember what they are supposed to feel like. But what are the chances I could have received two defective heating pads from two different manufacturers? Maybe I'm expecting too much?? But I honestly can't see why the 1-6 temperature ratings if 6 is not even that warm.

Anyone experience the same thing, how warm or hot to the touch does everyone's pads feel? My brother has a temperature gun that he's going to bring over later...I'm so curious to see what this thing measures, no where near in the 100's as it claims to on the packaging that's for sure.

If the chicks will be fine with this just being warm than that's wonderful but it's certainly not what I was envisioning...

Well... they're meant to sooth aching muscles and such, not cook an egg

 

[Victoria-nola]

Quote:
Yes-- people have been burned severely by too-hot or malfunctioning heating pads. Humans have different perceptions of hotness and warmth, it's one of those things. In our setup we have an inexpensive digital thermometer with a probe on it, and I put the probe under MHP (to the side, out of the way of the chicks) and the readout on the outside so I can see it. That way I always knew what the air was heated to under the MHP. Plus, it's not the airtemp so much as them snuggling against the pad. A chicken mom's underneath is not more than 100F, afaik. And they are only supposed to be at an air temp of 90-95 to start off as chicks when you don't have a broody hen or MHP.

I have the recommended Sunbeam and it performed perfectly, no glitches.

Here's an example of the type of thermometer I am talking about-- we own this one and it works. There are always complaints about accuracy, but for the MHP purpose, 1-2 degrees off isn't a problem. Is *is* a problem for incubation and I never really solved that problem. But these are great for general use. Getting one with an on/off switch is great because you don't have to remove the battery to shut it off. I own a couple of others that have humidity readings also, but no on/off switch.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EXEX9S4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Blooie]

I guess "hot" is a relative term. Even on high it shouldn't be uncomfortably warm to touch. We don't want to roast the chicks - just keep them warmer than they'd be in the ambient air. I'll be anxious to see what your temperature reading is when your brother takes it. Someone here did post what they found the temp of the actual pad itself to be, but I can't seem to remember.
]
Most of us use the pad with the lettered side down toward the chicks, so that might be where he'd want to measure.

 

[ImportTheBest]

I decided to try again to sort out the MHP for my chicks and so I ordered another of those heating pads from Amazon, I actually even made sure I purchased the burgundy one that you showed in your pictures @Blooie! Lol! Just in case it made a difference

It arrived today and in testing it is warmer than the defective one I had recently received, but it amazes me how mildly warm it is on level 6! My cheaper Sunbeam heating pad that cycles on and off and is fantastic for my bad back, is miles warmer/hotter than this one! I do realize that we're not trying to roast our babies but in a garage that is in the 30s and 40s I kind of expected it to be more snuggly warm than this. This one would do zero help for my back despite that it is designed for uses like that!
I'll give it a try if y'all who are successful at this say that that is how your heat pads feel as well.

Signed,
Nervous chicky mama