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

[lazy gardener]

I moved 46 chicks out to their grow out coop today. they have (2) 12 x 24 MHP. I have been running them at #1 in the garage, and every night, I have to stuff half of them under the second pad. Today, I made legs for both pads with 2" fender washers, 5" bolts, and nuts and wing nuts. I'm not happy with the way the pads are standing on their feet, and one of the pads is in danger of collapsing if so many chicks stand on it. It's supposed to get down to 37* tonight. The chicks are 12 days old. Wings are feathered out, but not much else. They are in total panic being in a new location, and are pig piling into a corner. So, as soon as it starts to get dark, I'll go out and play stuff the chicks under the pads. For now, I have the pads set on #3, and set close to each other so the chicks can be in a group, but still squirt out from between the 2 pads. Tomorrow, it's back to the drawing board. I think I'll attempt to rig a hybrid MHP/wool hen/ohio brooder/huddle box, and see how that goes.

Update: I just came back in from checking on them. They have finally settled, and they are using BOTH of the MHP! I have them set up beside each other, with about 4" of space between the 2 pads! So, other than some minor adjustments, I'll not have to do any major MacGuyver moves tomorrow!!!

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

I moved 46 chicks out to their grow out coop today. they have (2) 12 x 24 MHP. I have been running them at #1 in the garage, and every night, I have to stuff half of them under the second pad. Today, I made legs for both pads with 2" fender washers, 5" bolts, and nuts and wing nuts. I'm not happy with the way the pads are standing on their feet, and one of the pads is in danger of collapsing if so many chicks stand on it. It's supposed to get down to 37* tonight. The chicks are 12 days old. Wings are feathered out, but not much else. They are in total panic being in a new location, and are pig piling into a corner. So, as soon as it starts to get dark, I'll go out and play stuff the chicks under the pads. For now, I have the pads set on #3, and set close to each other so the chicks can be in a group, but still squirt out from between the 2 pads. Tomorrow, it's back to the drawing board. I think I'll attempt to rig a hybrid MHP/wool hen/ohio brooder/huddle box, and see how that goes.

Update: I just came back in from checking on them. They have finally settled, and they are using BOTH of the MHP! I have them set up beside each other, with about 4" of space between the 2 pads! So, other than some minor adjustments, I'll not have to do any major MacGuyver moves tomorrow!!!

FWIW, when I moved chicks out that weren't quite fully feathered, Murphy's Law came around and we had a cold snap. What worked really well was to go in after dark and drape a towel over the MHP extending outwards of the front and back. They all snuggled under it, some under the MHP itself, some to the sides. Something to think about if it's cold enough. Lemme see if I can find a pic... OK, one's out of focus. The MHP is covered with a puppy pad, and old hand towels are draped over either end to extend the available area.






- Ant Farm

 

[lazy gardener]

Good planning. I have the pads set on #3, and the chicks are all tucked under. No towel draping down over it, but they have been sleeping with their heads out from under it anyways. With 46 of them, they hardly need the heat from the pad. They put out a lot of their own heat. I think they'll be fine, but it's always a guessing game, until they and I am settled into the "new" routine.

 

[DonnaFreak]

Well we had a bit of excitement today. After my sister's funeral was over on Friday, things calmed down enough for the shock of her death to hit. I was awake all night last night, and didnt get to sleep until around 6:00 this morning. At 7:30 my husband woke me up to tell me the heating pad had come unplugged somehow, and that I needed to go out and check on the chicks. I went out and sure enough, the heating pad was off and completely cooled down, but the chicks were all scampering around and just fine, so I turned the heating pad back on and went back to bed. But in my lack-of-sleep-stupor, I forgot to make sure it was set to stay on instead of kicking off after 2 hours! I got up around 1:30 this afternoon when my other sister came over. I took her out to see the chicks, but never noticed that the heating pad was still off. It wasn't until my grandkids got here after dark and wanted to see THEIR chicks that I got back out there. When we started looking for the chicks, we couldn't see them, so I lifted up the MHP to look for them. They were all back in one corner in a pile, trying to stay warm. I turned the MHP back on, double checking to make SURE it would stay on, and when I went back out to check on them later, they were all scattered out under it like normal. After the rough start we had with the little Sikie chick, I'd be devastated if we lost one of the little bantams due to piling because of my own stupidity. Hopefully my head will get back in focus soon and I'll be able to take better care of them!

Donna

 

[lazy gardener]

Donna, they are quite resilient. Hope they all do fine for you. YOu don't need any more issues!

 

[Blooie]

Good planning. I have the pads set on #3, and the chicks are all tucked under. No towel draping down over it, but they have been sleeping with their heads out from under it anyways. With 46 of them, they hardly need the heat from the pad. They put out a lot of their own heat. I think they'll be fine, but it's always a guessing game, until they and I am settled into the "new" routine.

When I checked mine last night every single one of them was sleeping on top. I've got mine down to 4 now, but only because of the age difference. It's still nippy here, but I've certainly raised chicks outside when it was getting much colder than a low of 39 degrees, so I just left them. The older Silkies are 3 weeks old today, and I think the Bantams Ken picked up are almost 2 weeks old. So today after Kendra goes home, the portals will be opened and we'll just watch to see what happens. I have two hens I'm a little concerned about - the stupid Buckeyes. Wish I'd never bought them, but they lay well and they are definitely cold hardy. Can't even put my finger on why I don't like them - guess they are just too flighty and nervous all the time.

Oh, and Donna, I did the same thing! We lost power during a storm with high winds and sideways blowing snow!

 

[lazy gardener]

Quote: Mine are going to be 2 weeks old tomorrow. It was 36* last night, and super windy. NOW, you tell me you don't like Buck Eyes! I bought 2 roos, and 5 (I think) pullets. Hoping to introduce a breeding flock to this area. I already lost one of them. It never was right since arrival. I'm glad you say they are good layers. Their feather color is very light. I'm not pleased with that. But, we'll see how they do. If I do end up liking these birds, I intend to keep one cockrel as an eventual replacement for Jack. I realize he won't live for ever. He makes the nicest chicks, and he's a super Daddy. Treats his girls good for the most part. But, sooner or later, I'll have to replace him. That will be a sad day indeed.

 

[lazy gardener]

I had to move one of my chicks out of the main brood. He's a bit young to be sprouting wattles. But, they are coming in nice and red, and attracting too much attention. So, I pulled him out, and set him up in the broody pen in the big coop. I was in a rush to get the 12 x 15 pad set up with a cover. All of the custom pillow cases I've sewed are needing to be washed. So. Out came the glue gun. First, I wrapped the pad and frame in paper towels, then wrapped that package in a cut old sheet. Turned under the long seam, glued it. Then folded the ends in like a not so fancy gift wrapping job, and glued them as well. Applied my bungees (with hot melt dollops on ends of wires), tossed an old ugly dish towel over the top, and it was ready to go. The entire flock is milling around the broody cage, showing great interest in the little peep. Hubby is bringing home some blue kote tonight. I just may leave him there, and move a couple more in with him when his wattle issue resolves. Perhaps put the suspected cockrels in there with him.

 

[bajabirdbrain]

W

I had to move one of my chicks out of the main brood.  He's a bit young to be sprouting wattles.   But, they are coming in nice and red, and attracting too much attention.  So, I pulled him out, and set him up in the broody pen in the big coop.  I was in a rush to get the 12 x 15 pad set up with a cover.  All of the custom pillow cases I've sewed are needing to be washed.  So. Out came the glue gun.  First, I wrapped the pad and frame in paper towels, then wrapped that package in a cut old sheet.  Turned under the long seam, glued it.  Then folded the ends in like a not so fancy gift wrapping job, and glued them as well.  Applied my bungees (with hot melt dollops on ends of wires), tossed an old ugly dish towel over the top, and it was ready to go.  The entire flock is milling around the broody cage, showing great interest in the little peep.  Hubby is bringing home some blue kote tonight.  I just may leave him there, and move a couple more in with him when his wattle issue resolves.  Perhaps put the suspected cockrels in there with him.  

What did we ever do before the invention of the hot glue gun??

Great thinking on the fly! Most impressive...

How old are the suspect cockerels?

 

[DonnaFreak]

Taking a break from your regularly scheduled chat to bring you the following notification:

I wanted to tell you all what I received in the mail today, but first I need to explain how it came about. Every time I had talked to my sister over the past couple of months, she had asked me when my chicks would be here, and wanted to know if she could come see them after they arrived. I think she was almost as excited about them as I was! Last Monday was when my sister was killed by the prescription drug Xarelto. And wouldn't you know it...my chicks arrived the very next day, so she never got to see them.

Several months ago i asked on here where i could order my chicks without having to get 25 at a time. Blooie recommended My Pet Chicken, and I placed my order with them. On Wednesday, I called My Pet Chicken. I told them what had happened with my sister, and thanked them for helping to make a horrible time in my life a bit more bearable. Today I received a package from My Pet Chicken. Inside was a sympathy card with a very sweet handwritten note from the young lady who took my call. They also sent me a book on taking care of chickens and told me they wanted me to have it in memory of my sister. There aren't many companies that would do something like this for one of their customers. I am very touched that they would do something like this for me. Needless to say, I WILL be buying from them again!

Donna