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

[RubyNala97]

Hi, RubyNala!  No, I'm afraid it won't.  I looked at them too at Tractor Supply when I was trying to come up with a frame, and it has multiple drawbacks.  It's too small for any more than 2 or 3 chicks and wouldn't do well for long.  It's so tall inside that the chicks aren't near the pad like they need to be in the beginning.  Also the arch is so strongly curved they wouldn't be able  to use the top to snooze and play on.  Some folks here have used wire racks, wire shelving, and azygous even built a special frame made from camping foam and dowels.  (I had my doubts about that one until I could actually see it built, but it's worked great!)  

I'll bet that a pop flat (the cardboard that cans of pop or canned goods are in) would even work until you could figure out something with some kind of wire. Cut out an opening on the side so they can go in and out, then cover that with your pad and towel.  It won't work for long, but it could get you started.  You could even raise it up a little with something if it's not tall enough for your chicks. If it doesn't go all the way to the floor, that's okay. It'll just function more like those Eco-brooder or Brisneas that way, like aart's pseudo heat plate.  Folks have used cookie cooling racks, a cookie sheet screwed to 2 pieces of wood - so many options!   I'll see if can find aart's.

Edited to add link to aart's information.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate

Thank you for replying! I actually went on the hunt yesterday at the abondoned property near mine and I found the perfect thing. It's rusty though, so I'm going to clean it and spray paint it with anti-rust paint. My babies aren't due to hatch for 12 more days. So excited to try this!

 

[COChix]

Thank you for replying! I actually went on the hunt yesterday at the abondoned property near mine and I found the perfect thing. It's rusty though, so I'm going to clean it and spray paint it with anti-rust paint. My babies aren't due to hatch for 12 more days. So excited to try this!

Nice, what is it?

For those with babies and adults can you all give me how you go about introducing the babies, I know the basics, but I have heard introducing them during free range works great. Things like that or tips.

Here is our set up we have a long enclosed run 10x20 with two coops having access to the run, the main coop and then the smaller coop which is where the babies currently are. During the day we open the main coops flock so they can free range but don't have access to the run. They have access to the coop and the nest boxes. During the day we let the babies out into the enclosed run. Everyone can see each other, nobody is co-mingled yet, I have a Cornish sitting on 8 eggs due to hatch by this time next week. We just reduced the size of our laying flock, due to a pending move, and we have 8 layers and a roo.

Is it realistic to think I can co-mingle the babies and the adults within 12 days? Or is that pushing things too fast? The babies are 5 weeks old now. I have heard that having spots for the babies to hide under is important, having a hole in the wiring or propping the door only big enough for the babies to fit through, introduce during free range time are a few examples. I know everyone does it different and that is why I ask.

Any tips you all would like to offer? Thanks

 

[maybaby45]

Sure. They'll settle down. If you listen, the chirping when they are settling is different than the usual running around chirping. It's a little softer and more repetative, without so many "demanding" notes in it. If the lights are off (or the sun is down) they'll quiet right down after telling each other a few bedtime stories and they'll go to sleep. And it's possible, too, that they have grown accustomed to being "put into bed" so they are sitting up there reminding you that you still have to tuck them in. It's not a need, it's become their routine, and chickens are creatures of habit.

So I'm spoiling them.

OK I'll let them figure it out tonight but I think they will be in the coop tomorrow night and they can get in the huddle box with MHP so they will be fine.

 

[Grimm]

Nice, what is it?

For those with babies and adults can you all give me how you go about introducing the babies, I know the basics, but I have heard introducing them during free range works great. Things like that or tips.

Here is our set up we have a long enclosed run 10x20 with two coops having access to the run, the main coop and then the smaller coop which is where the babies currently are. During the day we open the main coops flock so they can free range but don't have access to the run. They have access to the coop and the nest boxes. During the day we let the babies out into the enclosed run. Everyone can see each other, nobody is co-mingled yet, I have a Cornish sitting on 8 eggs due to hatch by this time next week. We just reduced the size of our laying flock, due to a pending move, and we have 8 layers and a roo.

Is it realistic to think I can co-mingle the babies and the adults within 12 days? Or is that pushing things too fast? The babies are 5 weeks old now. I have heard that having spots for the babies to hide under is important, having a hole in the wiring or propping the door only big enough for the babies to fit through, introduce during free range time are a few examples. I know everyone does it different and that is why I ask.

Any tips you all would like to offer? Thanks

It is a ember grate for a fireplace. You place it on your fireplace grate(the one you place your logs on) to hold the embers to the flame and helps it burn longer.

 

[COChix]

My guess was something for the fireplace, seen a few similar items in all the out buildings on the property. That should work well, how many are you getting again?

 

[RubyNala97]

Yes, I pulled it off of a large circular, fire-pit looking thing, it was the door to it. Sorry, that's the best I could do. i bought a wire brush to clean it and spray-paint for it today. My chicks are due to hatch in 12 days! I have 2 chicks that will be exactly 4 weeks old when the new babies hatch. I was thinking of putting a screen divider up in the brooder so they can see each other. Id like them all to be together eventually. Anyone have success with something like that?

 

[maybaby45]

So I'm spoiling them.

OK I'll let them figure it out tonight but I think they will be in the coop tomorrow night and they can get in the huddle box with MHP so they will be fine.

They put themselves in bed under MHP tonight. They got caught in a big thunderstorm today in the hoop coop. They piled up in the huddle box and when it got to a light drizzle they started running around frantically pecking and scratching. Ants were crawling everywhere and they didn't mind getting wet to catch as many as possible.

 

[lazy gardener]

3 of my chicks went to a new home today. That leaves 6 of the first brood of 19 left (7 weeks old). There are 22 in the second brood (3.5 weeks old). So, after those 3 left, I opened the dividing door, and let the 2 groups mingle. Every time I'd let one of the bigger ones in with the littles in the past, there was a lot of terrorizing going on. Tonight, I opened the door... and went in for supper! When I came out to check on them later on, most of the littles had gone up into the loft, and gone into their side of the loft where I've been shutting them at night. This batch is so far advanced above any batch of chicks I've ever raised. It blows my mind! Note to self: let the integration happen. It's best if I don't witness it too much!

 

[perchie.girl]

awwww... congrats

 

[Blooie]

@lazy gardener I certainly don't mean to shortchange any anyone who has been willing to give this method a try, but I think I'm the most excited about your experience, I know that you were nervous about this whole system while you had eggs in the incubator and I wanted so badly for it to work for you as well as it has for me! But I was also pretty nervous. You and I have been friends for a long time and I didn't want anything to go wrong that might damage your trust this - and, by default - in me.

Don't misunderstand, I'm excited for all of you anytime you share pictures and your experiences with Mama Heating Pad. I know tossing the heat lamps is a huge leap of faith. Yet I know that you had some sincere doubts, LG, because of how much you had riding on these hatches. I'm so happy to hear that integration and the progress of the chicks has gone so well!