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

[Hholly]

Quote:
Hee hee!e Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Blooie]

And photos...don't forget the photos!

 

[Hholly]

I think I'm gonna need a bigger brooder. I ordered 12, they sent 25. Oops!

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[Hholly]

I think I got 13 extra Jersey Giants or Australorps, lol.

 

[Blooie]

Oh good grief! I hope that doesn't happen to me - I have chicken math bad enough without a hatchery enabling me! Cute chicks, though - yep, you're definitely going to need a bigger brooder!

 

[Paganrose]

Despite the cramped brooder do all 25 chicks fit under the MHP?

 

[Hholly]

I have the heat pad set on 5 right now, since there are so many chicks in there. I was afraid some would get trapped at the back and overheat. I'll be going out later today to find something bigger to put them in.

 

[Hholly]

Despite the cramped brooder do all 25 chicks fit under the MHP?

Yes, they fit. I worry about the ones at the back getting trapped though. I'm keeping a close eye on them. And they seem very lively so far. They had a feeding frenzy for awhile and now most are napping under the MHP.

 

[aart]

I have the heat pad set on 5 right now, since there are so many chicks in there. I was afraid some would get trapped at the back and overheat. I'll be going out later today to find something bigger to put them in.

Why I leave back open.

OyVey!!!!...on the extra chicks,
'packing peanuts' for warmth due to shipping in winter(they should have told you tho<rolleyes>) and probably all boys.

 

[Blooie]

I have the heat pad set on 5 right now, since there are so many chicks in there. I was afraid some would get trapped at the back and overheat. I'll be going out later today to find something bigger to put them in.

With that many chicks @aart is absolutely right - you may want to leave the back of the cave uncovered so that chicks at the back who want to get away from the heat for a bit aren't blocked by chicks in the front.

And yep, 25 chicks can use the large heating pad, @Paganrose . For the first few days, they want to be under it, but as soon as they realize that they can stay warm on top as well as at the sides, they spend less time underneath. And as they get bigger, they also spend less and less time underneath, so they aren't all trying to crowd under there at night except when they go to bed for the night. Even then, as early as 1 week, and living outside in the brooder in the run, some slept all night long on top and did just fine.