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

[kimismurf]

My chicks love their MHP!

 

[Blooie]

My chicks love their MHP!

That's great! You bought chicks and got the smart ones!! Yayyy!!

 

[kimismurf]

I only hatch smart chicks lol

 

[Blooie]

Ooh, you hatched them in a 'bater! Then they are genius chicks!!

 

[myhenSunrise]

I think I'll talk to my parents about trying this!

 

[BarredCometLaced]

It's working great so far!

 

[kimismurf]

Can you tell me how you guys can hold your chicks whit out them trying to get away. I've been holding mine since they were 24 hours old and they try to get away. They hide when I come in the room.

 

[BarredCometLaced]

Can you tell me how you guys can hold your chicks whit out them trying to get away. I've been holding mine since they were 24 hours old and they try to get away. They hide when I come in the room.

The last two batches of chicks that I received were as you described. This time, they show no human fear, practically jump out of the crate to be held, and one even fell asleep on me today. Perhaps it was the hatchery they came from? Mine this time were from MPC, and it has been the best so far. The last two times we purchased from Chickens for Backyards. They were more skittish.

 

[Blooie]

Unless there's something wrong with them, I don't try to hold on to mine. I move slowly and quietly around them, and then I just sit still. Some of them continue about their business, some come over to me - on their terms - to say hi. Chicks have an instinctive fear of anything coming at them from overhead, and let's face it, we're tall so we "look" like we're overhead to them.

I don't really care if I ever have "lap chickens", so that's why I don't try to force them to be held. I know others here on the thread feel differently, and love the hands-on approach with their chicks. They're more likely to be able to answer your question than I am. Right now mine are just the way I like them - calm and confident.

 

[perchie.girl]

Unless there's something wrong with them, I don't try to hold on to mine. I move slowly and quietly around them, and then I just sit still. Some of them continue about their business, some come over to me - on their terms - to say hi. Chicks have an instinctive fear of anything coming at them from overhead, and let's face it, we're tall so we "look" like we're overhead to them.

I don't really care if I ever have "lap chickens", so that's why I don't try to force them to be held. I know others here on the thread feel differently, and love the hands-on approach with their chicks. They're more likely to be able to answer your question than I am. Right now mine are just the way I like them - calm and confident.

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