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

[Blooie]

Just payin' my dues....

 

[Shezadandy]

Have any of you gotten slightly older chicks (about 2 weeks old) that have been under a lamp the whole time before bringing them home? If so, do you remember how long they zonked out for after getting some darkness and warmth?

I picked up 3 chicks this morning. They had a 40 minute ride after at least 20 minutes sitting in the tote I brought to collect them. I put them in the brooder under the heat plate (fits better in their indoor brooder than MHP) but they of course were a little stressed and hungry and thirsty. They got a bit of rest before I had to move the herd outside to clean the brooder pen. We were outside for probably 2 hours. They seemed active but did nod off a few times. Brought them back in and they bounded around for a good bit, getting more food and drink, and have been under the heat plate since - Probably at least 6 hours now. They're near my desk so I can just look over and see who's out and about and I haven't seen them surface for any food. I know newly hatched chicks will sleep for a LONG time after hatching but since I haven't brought home older chicks, I don't know if it's normal, or if I should be expecting them to be more vigorous.

Basically, I'm hoping someone can pat me on my head and tell me to chill out and that it's okay

Yes, I brought home some feed store chicks- 2 batches actually- that flopped down and just slept for hours and hours and hours. I had to wake mine up to get them to eat and drink before I went to bed for the night. It was the first time in their lives they had a dark, warm place to sleep. By the next day they were like any other batch we've had, but that first day!! Like, hello? Babies? You alive in there? "Chirp turn off the light chirp" was the answer.

 

[aart]

Just payin' my dues....

Great pic!!

Have any of you gotten slightly older chicks (about 2 weeks old) that have been under a lamp the whole time before bringing them home? If so, do you remember how long they zonked out for after getting some darkness and warmth?

I picked up 3 chicks this morning. They had a 40 minute ride after at least 20 minutes sitting in the tote I brought to collect them. I put them in the brooder under the heat plate (fits better in their indoor brooder than MHP) but they of course were a little stressed and hungry and thirsty. They got a bit of rest before I had to move the herd outside to clean the brooder pen. We were outside for probably 2 hours. They seemed active but did nod off a few times. Brought them back in and they bounded around for a good bit, getting more food and drink, and have been under the heat plate since - Probably at least 6 hours now. They're near my desk so I can just look over and see who's out and about and I haven't seen them surface for any food. I know newly hatched chicks will sleep for a LONG time after hatching but since I haven't brought home older chicks, I don't know if it's normal, or if I should be expecting them to be more vigorous.

Basically, I'm hoping someone can pat me on my head and tell me to chill out and that it's okay

Hahaha!! It'll...probably...be ok.
Only time will tell.
Hopefully it's just the moving stress and they'll bounce back today.

 

[lpyrbby]

Yes, I brought home some feed store chicks- 2 batches actually- that flopped down and just slept for hours and hours and hours. I had to wake mine up to get them to eat and drink before I went to bed for the night. It was the first time in their lives they had a dark, warm place to sleep. By the next day they were like any other batch we've had, but that first day!! Like, hello? Babies? You alive in there? "Chirp turn off the light chirp" was the answer.

Great pic!!

Hahaha!! It'll...probably...be ok.
Only time will tell.
Hopefully it's just the moving stress and they'll bounce back today.

Thanks guys

They were out for a bit this morning but seem to have gone back under the plate for a bit. I put a little nutridrench in the water so hopefully that'll help perk them up lol. They're probably looking at all the naked necks and going "***??" as well...My crew is a boisterous bunch, for sure.

 

[lazy gardener]

Last night, I found 48 chicks smooshed under one 12 x 24 pad. Not a single one under the other one. They were over heated for sure, and there would have been fatalities if I didn't intervene. So, I had hubby hold a flashlight so there was barely enough room to see, and I picked up 4 fist fulls of chicks and shoved them under the other pad. This morning I put the screen divider back in. They were NOT happy. A few were flinging themselves at the screen trying to get back to their "buddies". The screen will stay in place till I can join the 2 if not 3 pads together.

Any one had success brooding more than 30 chicks at a time with MHP set up, and if so, how did you do it? I'm wondering if with this many chicks, a hybrid MHP and wool hen might work. Or perhaps simply switch to a wool hen.

 

[aart]

Last night, I found 48 chicks smooshed under one 12 x 24 pad. Not a single one under the other one. They were over heated for sure, and there would have been fatalities if I didn't intervene. So, I had hubby hold a flashlight so there was barely enough room to see, and I picked up 4 fist fulls of chicks and shoved them under the other pad. This morning I put the screen divider back in. They were NOT happy. A few were flinging themselves at the screen trying to get back to their "buddies". The screen will stay in place till I can join the 2 if not 3 pads together.

Any one had success brooding more than 30 chicks at a time with MHP set up, and if so, how did you do it? I'm wondering if with this many chicks, a hybrid MHP and wool hen might work. Or perhaps simply switch to a wool hen.

OyVey!!! Glad you found them!
Were pads set up to be one contiguous space of 12 x 48.....or separate spaces??

 

[Blooie]

Last night, I found 48 chicks smooshed under one 12 x 24 pad. Not a single one under the other one. They were over heated for sure, and there would have been fatalities if I didn't intervene. So, I had hubby hold a flashlight so there was barely enough room to see, and I picked up 4 fist fulls of chicks and shoved them under the other pad. This morning I put the screen divider back in. They were NOT happy. A few were flinging themselves at the screen trying to get back to their "buddies". The screen will stay in place till I can join the 2 if not 3 pads together.

Any one had success brooding more than 30 chicks at a time with MHP set up, and if so, how did you do it? I'm wondering if with this many chicks, a hybrid MHP and wool hen might work. Or perhaps simply switch to a wool hen.

Oh, WOW! So glad you found them in time, LG.....I don't know what the answer to raising that many chicks under a MHP setup would be. Maybe let them mingle during the day and then put the divider back up at night? I haven't looked into the wool hen, although I know there are people doing that. Guess if I'm going to be well-versed in heat lamp alternatives I should check that out. What about doing the hanging MHP......there are some posts related to those on here, and when I get a chance later I'll see if I can find them for you.

 

[jennyf]

How are you going to adjust for growth? Day olds are only about an inch tall at back-level, how are you going to make sure it's low enough? Nice effort, but needs to be more adjustable.

My thought was to heap up shavings underneath... But on second thought I may just cut a piece of plywood or two under to raise it up. I hadn't really visualized it at an inch, may need to ponder. And, right, a pillowcase and some nuts for height, hmmmm. They are in a dog crate so maybe I could rig some hangers from the top.

 

[aart]

Quote: That can work very well...piling up shavings works sometimes , but I think the boards are a better idea.
Hanging the HP can work well too, just make sure they can get out the front and the back.
An inch is too low IMO...maybe 2-3" to start, this is where easy adjustability is important.

 

[junebuggena]

That can work very well...piling up shavings works sometimes , but I think the boards are a better idea.
Hanging the HP can work well too, just make sure they can get out the front and the back.
An inch is too low IMO...maybe 2-3" to start, this is where easy adjustability is important.

Depends on if they are straight out of the incubator or if they are a few days old from a feed store. About an inch is perfect for just hatched babies or bantams. Feed store chicks are a few days older and bigger. That's why I expressed concern. 2x4s aren't very adjustable.