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

[Nathan J]

I put up some pictures that the addicts might like.

At this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1153700/show-off-your-baby-chicks/250#post_18216159

 

[chickieschicks]

A little update...my MHP is working like a charm and my four little chicks seem to be doing great. I do have some adjusting that I need to do to the MHP bc I have some gaps between its sides and the sides of the brooder that I'm not comfortable with.

I just wanted to check in with everyone and ask, how soon did you start to lower the temperature of the heating pad and/or raise the height of the MHP? (@Blooie ) I've definitely gathered that the key is watching the behavior of the chicks so I'm pretty much focusing on that but I'm just curious what those of you who have done this previously have experienced because I'd like to have some sort of time frame in my head to use as a reference for when these little guys will be ready for the outdoors. I plan to keep them indoors the entire time they are using the MHP and I don't plan on relocating the MHP to the outside coop. It's my very first time raising chicks so any sort of advice on a timeline would be super helpful!

I have to say, this method seems perfect to me. Our little chicks spend the day eating and drinking, exploring, and napping in and out of their MHP and then they sleep quietly all night nice and cozy underneath it. I can not even imagine using the heating lamp method, as this seems so natural. I'm so grateful to have discovered this thread and I know the little chickies are too!

 

[ChickNanny13]

A little update...my MHP is working like a charm and my four little chicks seem to be doing great. I do have some adjusting that I need to do to the MHP bc I have some gaps between its sides and the sides of the brooder that I'm not comfortable with.

I just wanted to check in with everyone and ask, how soon did you start to lower the temperature of the heating pad and/or raise the height of the MHP? (@Blooie ) I've definitely gathered that the key is watching the behavior of the chicks so I'm pretty much focusing on that but I'm just curious what those of you who have done this previously have experienced because I'd like to have some sort of time frame in my head to use as a reference for when these little guys will be ready for the outdoors. I plan to keep them indoors the entire time they are using the MHP and I don't plan on relocating the MHP to the outside coop. It's my very first time raising chicks so any sort of advice on a timeline would be super helpful!

I have to say, this method seems perfect to me. Our little chicks spend the day eating and drinking, exploring, and napping in and out of their MHP and then they sleep quietly all night nice and cozy underneath it. I can not even imagine using the heating lamp method, as this seems so natural. I'm so grateful to discovered this thread and I know the little chickies are too!

I've used the MHP 3x, each came with fine tuning & great advise by others

I had mine against the back of the brooder, aart advising to move away from the back so those in the back wouldn't be "stuck" by the crowd (I had 38 at that time), made sense and the space on the sides (MHP & brooder walls that worried me) chicks used it as a walkway to the back entrance.

I have three heights of leftover wire (2", 3", 4"); bantams start w/ 2" while the LF start with the 3" height. I curve my wire w/MHP underside, "raise" the height when they're about 2 - 3wks, for sure 4wks. At about 2wks they spend more time on top during the day, going under at night, I also lower the temp (L) during the day, it gets warm here (Hawaii) & my brooder's in my patio. 3 - 4wks the MHP is off during the day & on low at nights. The more I have will turn the MHP off using it as a "huddle box" when they're about 4wks, 5 - 6wks I remove the MHP & give them more shavings in the area the MHP was in, they figure it out.

BUT as it's been said, THEY will let you know & you will have your own timelines....Weather/humidity makes a big difference.

 

[Blooie]

There are only a couple of "absolutes" with MHP - a pad that doesn't shut off automatically, a sturdy frame, and watching the chicks. At first I tried the "timetable" thing, but it was an exercise in futility. You've done a great job so far, and the transition shouldn't be that difficult for you and the chicks. You can put a huddle box out there that would mimic MHP for the first few days.....no heat, just the "cave" feeling until they are comfortable.

 

[aart]

There are only a couple of "absolutes" with MHP - a pad that doesn't shut off automatically, a sturdy frame, and watching the chicks. At first I tried the "timetable" thing, but it was an exercise in futility. You've done a great job so far, and the transition shouldn't be that difficult for you and the chicks. You can put a huddle box out there that would mimic MHP for the first few days.....no heat, just the "cave" feeling until they are comfortable.

Ditto Dat!!!^^^

Good to get them used to the huddle box after heat is off but before going out to coop,
then it will be a 'familiar thing' when they move to the coop with their huddle box.

 

[debid]

Is anyone else seeing an increased confidence in their chicks compared to the light-brooded ones? I'm seeing the chicks doing their challenge posturing with each other that you'd expect of chicks almost 4 weeks old. What I didn't expect was for them to posture at the adults. They've obviously taken some pecks and lost every adult-chick faceoff but they aren't​ running as far now and are actively working on joining the flock. I've only ever seen chicks avoid the adults until almost POL so this is very different to me.

 

[Blooie]

I have absolutely no scientifically sound proof, but in my opinion it has almost everything to do with them being expected to self-regulate from day one. THEY decide when they need to warm up. THEY decide how long they need to be under there. THEY decide what they are going to play with. So they do seem to be calmer and more confident. I watched a 4 week old Silkie hold his own against an adult. There wasn't any real aggression, just standing his ground and she finally went around him.

 

[MudderChic]

How do you get your new chics to go under the heating pad? I put them in there stayed for a bit then left. They seem to like the top right now. I just brought them home about a week old

 

[aart]

How do you get your new chics to go under the heating pad? I put them in there stayed for a bit then left. They seem to like the top right now. I just brought them home about a week old

They might be too hot underneath......try turning the heat pad down if you can.

 

[Blooie]

@aart is right. And remember that chicks don't "live" under a broody hen either, even when it's cold outside. They duck under for a little bit to warm up and then they're back out exploring. At night you can tuck them under and hold your hand in front for a few minutes until they settle down, but that's only going to work if it's dark. If there's light they'll be right back out. Chicks seem to be pre-programmed to snuggle down as the sun goes down and sleep all night through until the sun comes up. Artificial light fools them. We want them sleeping all night through, so they need that darkness.