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

[mickt42]

After seeing hens hatch clutches of eggs multiple times through extremely cold winter storms, I am very confident this method is valid, effective and trustworthy. I purchased a heater pad with the thoughts of setting up my own system and if nothing else my wife would love to use it as intended. Thought I'd let everyone know that Sunbeam is having a 50% off sale for the rest of the week.

 

[Blooie]

After seeing hens hatch clutches of eggs multiple times through extremely cold winter storms, I am very confident this method is valid, effective and trustworthy. I purchased a heater pad with the thoughts of setting up my own system and if nothing else my wife would love to use it as intended. Thought I'd let everyone know that Sunbeam is having a 50% off sale for the rest of the week.

Ooh, thanks, mick42! That's good to know for those who might be interested in trying this.

 

[Guernica]

In case any other newbies are considering trying the Mama Heating Pad Cave - I DID IT and it CLUCKING WORKS!!

I only have three little Buff Orp chicks and was wondering how to make a frame small enough to keep them warm. I arrived at...

...my as-yet unused egg basket. Heating pad on top of that, towel or (being in the horse biz) "rub rags" or "baby pads" on top of that. Shavings inside.

External view:





I did this while I had them in another bin while I cleaned this one. That meant they were all just a wee bit chilly when they came back up to their main brooder. They've only been here for 24 hours so I think they found the rearrangement of what is, temporarily, their "world" threw them off a bit, but not as much as it would have if I had had them longer...

I waited for it to get warm inside, then took the bravest of the three and - as someone here suggested, so THANK YOU - held him in there until he felt the dark and the heat. He did NOT come back out. So I took sis and put her in there too, and held her for a few seconds. She didn't come out either. So I added bro. And *he* didn't come out!

It clucking WORKS!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who contributed to this thread and the other one. Thank goodness for BYC, b/c this noob, who has been a chicken owner for about 27 hours now, would have NEVER come up with this on her own.

I'm truly grateful, so are my chickies, and I'm sure glad to know my house isn't going to burn down while I'm at work!! Bless you all!

P.S. To other noobs - I did it at dusk. I noticed last night that my chickies were instinctively ready for a nap as the sun went down, and I know from horse training that you use their natural instincts to your own advantage wherever possible. I think the timing did make a difference. They were *yearning* for a warm safe dark place!! Thanks again y'all, truly.

 

[aart]

..... it CLUCKING WORKS!!

.....

LMAO...yeah, it does!

 

[lynnehd]

In case any other newbies are considering trying the Mama Heating Pad Cave - I DID IT and it CLUCKING WORKS!!

That is great to hear! I think sizing the heating pad to the # of chicks is the key. A cavernous extra large heating pad might not work for 3 chicks, yours looks perfect. Well done!

 

[MissWiggles]

This looks amazing! I can't wait to try it. I have learned so much from BYC already!

Julie

 

[Guernica]

That is great to hear! I think sizing the heating pad to the # of chicks is the key. A cavernous extra large heating pad might not work for 3 chicks, yours looks perfect. Well done!

Yes, I read all the way thru this thread and the other one before I went shopping! Neither my flock nor, if we're honest, my brooder are big enough for the biggie-sized heating pad. If you just have 3 or 4, this is egg-cellent!

Just checked in on the little cluckers (couple hours later) and they are, as predicted, bopping in and out of there merrily as and when they feel the need.

WHAT a relief! I live in a DW so the idea of going off to work all day with a heat lamp on just wasn't "setting" well with me. This is a tremendous solution. Thanks again all y'all!

 

[Blooie]

I am absolutely thrilled that you are happy with this method. I currently have 15 happy, healthy chicks living outside and I am so relieved not to have to worry about them with a heat lamp. My heating pad is now turned down to 3, but they are only in the cave at night, when temps are still in the 30s. The rest of the time they're eating, exploring, scratching and learning how to be chickens from watching the Bigs all around them.

I meant to post this yesterday, but forgot. Now seems as good a time as any. The one surprise to come from this was the Littles' confidence! Last year's chicks, were brooded the "traditional" way, with a constant heat lamp on them, me fussing over them all of the time, and them not having a secure, dark place to hide if they got spooked. I'm sure those of you who are not new to chicks have seen the frantic running full tilt all over the brooder looking for a place to hide if you suddenly enter the room they're in. By contrast, the Littles look up at me when I go into the run, then most go right back to whatever they were doing. If I enter their pen, a few will hightail it into the cave but they usually watch me from under the awning, then pop right back out when they realize I'm no threat. As I go about filling the feeder and checking water, almost without exception they'll be wandering all around me, and they're so calm!

It will be interesting to keep track batch by batch, and compare notes with those of you doing this, to see if this is a fluke or if this steady confidence comes from the security they feel in the cave.

 

[perchie.girl]

I am absolutely thrilled that you are happy with this method. I currently have 15 happy, healthy chicks living outside and I am so relieved not to have to worry about them with a heat lamp. My heating pad is now turned down to 3, but they are only in the cave at night, when temps are still in the 30s. The rest of the time they're eating, exploring, scratching and learning how to be chickens from watching the Bigs all around them.

I meant to post this yesterday, but forgot. Now seems as good a time as any. The one surprise to come from this was the Littles' confidence! Last year's chicks, were brooded the "traditional" way, with a constant heat lamp on them, me fussing over them all of the time, and them not having a secure, dark place to hide if they got spooked. I'm sure those of you who are not new to chicks have seen the frantic running full tilt all over the brooder looking for a place to hide if you suddenly enter the room they're in. By contrast, the Littles look up at me when I go into the run, then most go right back to whatever they were doing. If I enter their pen, a few will hightail it into the cave but they usually watch me from under the awning, then pop right back out when they realize I'm no threat. As I go about filling the feeder and checking water, almost without exception they'll be wandering all around me, and they're so calm!

It will be interesting to keep track batch by batch, and compare notes with those of you doing this, to see if this is a fluke or if this steady confidence comes from the security they feel in the cave.

I cant wait to try this with Guinea Keets.... They are natural runners but I think having a ""momma" to run to and hide under would be awesome for when i have to tend to the brooder. food water clean... what ever they need.

deb

 

[mickt42]

I would think that may stem from them feeling safe with their "mama" right next to them....