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

[Blooie]

So cute! Are they doing well under there? So glad you shared your pictures of those little cuties! I've never had Silkies, although they were recommended for the grandkids as friendly and that they liked attention. I just didn't think they'd meet what I needed my chickens for, but that doesn't mean they don't make me smile when I see pictures of them!

The pad seems a little high, but if they are 10 days old that may be just fine! If they do seem to be a little chilly, you can close off the back a bit to hold in some heat, and maybe drop the pad a bit so it's closer to their backs. But it looks as though they are doing very well, so if ain't broke, don't fix it!!

Keep us updated on how they do....they are adorable!

 

[Traceaskew]

So cute!  Are they doing well under there?  So glad you shared your pictures of those little cuties!  I've never had Silkies, although they were recommended for the grandkids as friendly and that they liked attention.  I just didn't think they'd meet what I needed my chickens for, but that doesn't mean they don't make me smile when I see pictures of them!

The pad seems a little high, but if they are 10 days old that may be just fine!  If they do seem to be a little chilly, you can close off the back a bit to hold in some heat, and maybe drop the pad a bit so it's closer to their backs.  But it looks as though they are doing very well, so if ain't broke, don't fix it!!


Keep us updated on how they do....they are adorable!

It's a bit higher than I thought it would be, and I may turn it longways in the bin so I can flatten it more, but they seem happy. Not piled up and quiet. I'm getting 10 more chicks (good laying breeds) on Jan 12 but I always wanted silkies and couldn't resist when I found a local breeder

 

[Blooie]

I don't blame you a bit for falling for them! Like I said, though, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and if they are quiet and not piled up you probably have found their "sweet spot!"

 

[Traceaskew]

I don't blame you a bit for falling for them!  Like I said, though, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and if they are quiet and not piled up you probably have found their "sweet spot!"

Ok I almost had a horrible tragedy! My dog who was completely uninterested in them, as soon as I turned my back, grabbed one and took it out of the box. I saw him immediately and yelled at him...he dropped it and I put it back under MHP. It seems fine, and he's a retriever mix so very soft mouthed. I feel AWFUL. My daughters are so upset I hope the baby is ok. How will I know if it's hurt or not? I flattened MHP some and now they are sleeping cuddled up but quiet. If they're cuddled, does that always mean they're cold?

And I have learned my lesson! The dog is tied up and the brooder box is going inside his old crate!

 

[azygous]

Whew! That was a close call, all right! Thankfully, your dog wasn't the kind to grab and munch.

You probably won't be able to tell which one was the victim, since they're all probably acting the same now.

But just so you know what to look for, a chick that was mishandled or smashed so that it's organs were bruised, will not be able to stand, walk normally, or appear steady. If all your chicks are running around, equally agile and quick, you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Blooie]

Thanks, azygous. I wasn't sure how to field that one, and didn't want to give bad advice! Contented chicks will cuddle up too...think about the limited space under a broody hen and that becomes easy to understand. Huddling and cheeping loudly, that's a horse of a different color! Glad you were able to save your chick and are taking remedial action. If I've learned anything on here about dogs and chicks, even the most soft-mouthed dogs can be too rough for these little guys!

 

[Traceaskew]

Thank you both

I would never let him handle them intentionally. I'm just glad he doesn't have the tendency to bite or snap. They all ventured out to eat and are all walking around fine so I hope the one that was grabbed is ok. Gave me a heart attack, tho!!!

 

[Traceaskew]

I'm happy to report the chicks are doing great. They are all eating and drinking every few minutes and trying to jump. They go back under mhp in between eating. None of them are showing any signs of injury so I think the one that was grabbed is ok. Thank you Blooie for posting this idea! I love the natural feel of this instead of a light on them 24 hrs!

 

[Blooie]

You are so very welcome. It's much more pleasant on the owner, and far less stress on the chicks. To me, that makes it a win-win all the way around. I'm looking at hatching some eggs in the spring......you can bet those chicks will go from the incubator, into observation for 24 hours, and then directly out into the brooder pen in the run under MHP. I'll never raise chicks any other way. And I must again say that this wasn't my idea. @Beekissed actually hatched eggs using this, and that plus a video by Patrice Lopatin were instrumental in pulling me out of the "must have heat lamp, must monitor temps until you're crazy" mind-set. @aart has her psuedo heating plate idea, and so many others have added suggestions and modifications to fit their own needs. I was just lucky enough to be able to put it in one thread and have it take on a life of it's own, thanks to folks like you!

 

[Percheron chick]

How many 4-6 week old chicks fit under one heating pad?