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

[Birdinhand]

does anyone have an updated spec list? this thread is so long it's hard to know what the current state of the art is for the MHP. In particular, is there consensus on the best height for the front and the back for one day old chicks. I'm at 3.5 inches in the front and about 2 inches in the back. I have bedding piled up around the edges with the towel draped down, in such a way so they can get in and out easily but still retaining heat. I have it pretty low, mostly so they have to hunch down a bit to get under it. they seem to be handling it well, the loud chirping has pretty much stopped. if I point a laser heat gun inside, on a chick I get around 99 f, which is about right. the ground is more like in the upper 70's. I am wondering if I should raise the front some so there is standing room? here is a photo about 20 minutes after the initial introduction. I placed them under to make sure they got that it was warm. I let them all take a good drink from a small bowel before leaving them with a nipple waterer and some food. the last time I checked they seemed to be picking up the nipple waterer technique quite well.

 

[junebuggena]

does anyone have an updated spec list? this thread is so long it's hard to know what the current state of the art is for the MHP. In particular, is there consensus on the best height for the front and the back for one day old chicks. I'm at 3.5 inches in the front and about 2 inches in the back. I have bedding piled up around the edges with the towel draped down, in such a way so they can get in and out easily but still retaining heat. I have it pretty low, mostly so they have to hunch down a bit to get under it. they seem to be handling it well, the loud chirping has pretty much stopped. if I point a laser heat gun inside, on a chick I get around 99 f, which is about right. the ground is more like in the upper 70's. I am wondering if I should raise the front some so there is standing room? here is a photo about 20 minutes after the initial introduction. I placed them under to make sure they got that it was warm. I let them all take a good drink from a small bowel before leaving them with a nipple waterer and some food. the last time I checked they seemed to be picking up the nipple waterer technique quite well.View attachment 1121073

Just watch your chicks and make your adjustments based on their behavior. Forget rules and guidelines. Every batch of chicks is different. You'll just have to figure out for these guys what is just right for them.

 

[shadowfox]

Here's my heating pad contraption. I'm excited to put it to use. My chicks get here in about a week.

I used hardware cloth, the heating pad, a pillow case, a layer of felt, and then a flannel cover.

Let me know if you see any glaring errors.

 

[junebuggena]

Here's my heating pad contraption. I'm excited to put it to use. My chicks get here in about a week.

I used hardware cloth, the heating pad, a pillow case, a layer of felt, and then a flannel cover.View attachment 1121659
Let me know if you see any glaring errors.

How many layers are there between the pad and the chicks? I'd scale it back to just the pillow case. You aren't trying to hold heat in the cave. That's not how this works. It's the chicks making contact with the pad that warms them.

 

[shadowfox]

How many layers are there between the pad and the chicks? I'd scale it back to just the pillow case. You aren't trying to hold heat in the cave. That's not how this works. It's the chicks making contact with the pad that warms them.

There are three layers over the heating pad. My intent was to make it soft. Does that not really matter?

 

[junebuggena]

There are three layers over the heating pad. My intent was to make it soft. Does that not really matter?

Doesn't matter one bit.

 

[aart]

My intent was to make it soft.

Soft doesn't matter, purely anthropomorphic.
Not-sharp does matter tho....
....also no pockets chicks could get stuck in...and peeling tape can be a problem too.
Height really matters, chicks must be able to sit on floor and touch back to heat.

 

[Birdinhand]

so far the 37 CX are doing great. two came with leg issues but that has mostly cleared up, which I am surprised at, mostly in the past, the one's with leg issues just don't get better. It's kind of amazing how well they can cram into the back lower portion and still move about, sleep and then find their way out when it's time for food and water. I'm curious to see if I will need to remove the food at night starting day 10 like usual or whether having a normal sleep cycle will suffice to avoid over eating. at this point, I'm pretty much ready to throw away the heat lamps and never look back!

 

[aart]

I'm pretty much ready to throw away the heat lamps and never look back!

Ehhh...keep em, never know when you'll need to isolate a chick, then they can be mighty handy. Sounds like it's going great tho, Kudos, Keep us posted!

 

[Scotty from BI]

I'm thinking instead of tape use an ace bandage.