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

[Beekissed]

I used 2x2 fencing, bungee and a flannel pillow case for mine. I left both ends open for easy flow of chicks from both ends so none could get trapped and smished and adjusted the height of the brooder mama to fit the size of chick...short for new chicks, a little taller for week old and above.






New chick level, with the heating pad touching their backs and they have to squat and crawl under the frame a little ....same height front to back like a mama hen.



Older chick height...again, same height front to back.



By the third week they are mostly sleeping on the top during the day and some under, some on top at night. And that's when the weather was still 30s-40s at night, 40-50s in the day.

 

[aart]

Of course!

I have a rooster recovering from a dog attack (doing well) in this gigantic dog crate - I think I might try turning it into a brooder, at least for older chicks. Too may overhead escapees in the past...




- Ant Farm

You could flip that on it's side for more 'floor space' for chicks.
I don't think I've ever seen that big of a wire crate!
What are the dimensions?
Does it fold up for storage?

 

[aart]

I used 2x2 fencing, bungee and a flannel pillow case for mine. I left both ends open for easy flow of chicks from both ends so none could get trapped and smished and adjusted the height of the brooder mama to fit the size of chick...short for new chicks, a little taller for week old and above.

Two pair of bungies...one on inside of pillowcase and one on the outside?

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

You could flip that on it's side for more 'floor space' for chicks.
I don't think I've ever seen that big of a wire crate!
What are the dimensions?
Does it fold up for storage?

It's the 54-inch XXL crate by Midwest. Per Amazon, dimensions are 54" x 37", and 45" high. Alas, can't really turn it on it's side because the bottom (with pan) has sparser grating.

Doesn't fold for storage, unfortunately - I'd need to just take it apart. (NOT mobile...)

- Ant Farm

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:

I have a rooster recovering from a dog attack (doing well) in this gigantic dog crate - I think I might try turning it into a brooder, at least for older chicks. Too may overhead escapees in the past...




- Ant Farm

You could flip that on it's side for more 'floor space' for chicks.
I don't think I've ever seen that big of a wire crate!
What are the dimensions?
Does it fold up for storage?

Yep lay it on its side with the door on top. They dont have bottoms but you could cut a piece of peg board material and zip tie it on for the bottom.

This cage has so much potential. I believe they also make a roll around base for them.

deb

 

[bruceha2000]

I'll be getting 26 chicks sometime between February 10-14. I'm going to order the HPs on the 1st (payday). I haven't yet figured out what to to use for the container. What have you all used, short of building one from scratch? Thanks in advance for all your help

"Container" meaning the "frame" for the MHP or an enclosed space that you will put it in?

If the latter:

Is your coop already built? You could do it the "normal" way, wait to start on the coop until the chicks arrive, but it is not recommended

.
Do you already have chickens?

If the coop exists and there are no other chickens, you already have the "container"

If you have other chickens, is the coop big enough to be partitioned off? If so, you already have the "container", you just need a partition

Having an adjustable sized door from it into the rest of the coop is great for integration. Chicks can come and go, older chickens can't get in, safe space.

 

[Paganrose]

I'm using a 50 gallon tote for my chicks. It measures 22" by 42". it's a bit small for the amount of chickens I am getting- but they will only be in it for a week maybe two before moving out to the 3'x6' brooder I have sectioned off in the coop, with short supervised visits outside. I will most likely be reducing the amounts of chicks around that time to around 18 +/- also, and by the time they are full feathered they will have the run of the whole 16'x6' coop, plus whatever run we have up by that time. (we previously free ranged, but are now building an attached run)

The first set of chicks I used a kiddie pool lined with cardboard until I couldn't stand the smell/dust and transition them out to the old coop at 4 weeks old.

Generally you want half a square foot (6" by 6") for each chick under two weeks, then they will need about 1sqft per bird till about 5-6 weeks, and after 2 sqft each.

 

[melnjerm]

These are my just hatched legbar babies enjoying their heating pad mommy! 8 born yesterday, 2 born early this morning.

I have them in a 50 gallon storage box as well.

 

[Blooie]

Great job, and cute chicks. I wonder, though, is there a way to lower your frame a bit so the pad is closer to their backs at this tender age? Just have to be for a week or so, Looks like you could just smoosh it down in the middle a bit....

 

[melnjerm]

I'm sure theres a way. If necessary I'll just make another one. However, I did put a thermometer in there, 2 inches off the ground, and it read 90* (I have it on high), do you still think I should bring it down more Blooie?