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

[ShrekDawg]

Chicks have spent two nights outside so far and are currently sleeping inside the coop. They finally figured out how to go up the ramp as well as down so no need for the back door to be open anymore. They've been in there at least an hour, maybe two. Some woke up and came out but they're all back in now. But then again they've been up since 8:30. 2:12 now. Very cold and rainy outside. Not currently raining but good day to stay inside. Hahah I don't really understand it though because yesterday it was truly raining and they were in the rain and then under the coop all day except 3 smart ones who were inside so maybe they just finally smartened up. Anyhow, I hope this weather improves.

And they also have been without MHP for maybe a week+ even before moving to real outside and don't seem to mind. I think they're fully feathered now too? Turned 7 weeks Monday so turning 8 soon

 

[ShrekDawg]

I take that back, a couple are awake now. I guess they got hungry since there's no food in the coop

 

[sniper338]

So its actually a sunbeam heating pad.... "mama" isnt a brand...?

 

[azygous]

Hah! It should be!

 

[Blooie]

Who knows? By the time we're done it might well be! Can you see it on Amazon?

Mama Heating Pad
The Ultimate in Simplifying Brooding!

 

[sniper338]

Im thinking about buying one to put in my small coop for some more jeveline birds... they are a little over a month old.. but still no feathers on their heads... just donno how they would fair running back and forth up the ramp into the coop from the run area... and i have a 4 almost 5 month old bcm roo in there.... i think he would be fine with younger females again... but makes me nervous... he tends to let them cuddle up under his wings and he plays mama hen... at least thats what he did with the easter eggers i had him with before i sold em..

 

[sniper338]

But all birds like some heat right... even older grown birds like a little warmth on cooler nights..

 

[Blooie]

Shoot, mine are out in sub-zero temps and if I open the run door, many of them head straight out into the snow! I also brood chicks out in the run and they are off any heat source by 4 weeks old, regardless of temperatures.





I'm sure they "appreciate" some heat, but here in Northern Wyoming mine thrive without heat or insulation. I'm afraid, though, with yours being older, if they haven't been under Mama Heating Pad before you might have trouble getting them to use it.

 

[azygous]

Chickens have their own built-in heaters, well insulated by ingeniously engineered feathers. The only chickens that need heat to maintain their body temperature are chicks with not fully developed feathers. If your four and five week old chicks have feathers all over, including their heads, they should be good to go.

However, if you been giving them heat in the brooder indoors, you may need to ween them off heat gradually. Go ahead and rig the heating pad, but make the wire frame high at the opening and about five inches at the rear. Set it to a medium setting rather than the highest. If the chicks need the heat, they'll use the cave. If they sleep on top of it, that means they're well on their way to being cold hardened.

 

[Traceaskew]

My 3 Silkie chicks came home today! As promised here is a picture of them under MHP. So far they seem very happy under there. The breeder said they were 10 days old.