Ok guys, I've been thinking about the towel over the MHP cave. Most of you seem to be covering it with Press n'seal to keep it from getting so nasty. I've tried that, and am not very impressed with the outcome. So, here's my thought: What about using plastic place mats? They would have to be held in place somehow. My choice would be painter's tape. And you'd probably want the little hangy down flap at the front and maybe even at the back of the cave. That could be accomplished by putting the towel UNDER the place mat. Now, if that idea doesn't please, here's plan B. I believe they make plastic covered flannel which is designed to be used for home made diapers. (soakers?) Or, what about taking a towel, and putting contac paper on the top side which would be over the cave, and leaving the rest of the towel (the hangy down parts) naked?
Now, I'm perplexed. My tinies are only 10 days old. There are 22 of them. The temp last night got down into the low 40's, and they chose to sleep beside the HP. This morning, I found that a few were popping in and out, and the rest were putzing around, just as happy as could be. I tried to entice them into the cave last night, but it was a long reach, and the few that I picked up weren't having any of that (getting shoved in the cave.) I even turned it down, thinking that it was too warm for them. But, with there being 22, and them making a solid chick carpet, I'm guessing they weren't too cold. It was plenty warm when I slid my hand under the chick carpet.
Here is "azygous" with her babies in their grow-out pen. They have all this space and are utilizing every inch. I really can't imagine how they would handle being stuffed into a brooder again. All thanks to the MHP system.
