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

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Those are seriously cute pictures bee. I want Muscovys eventually and was thinking I would have to buy adults off craigslist Now I am thinking I could hatch some eggs......

deb

 

[bruceha2000]

I think a couple of those Khaki Campbell ducklings are mutants Bee

Ducks would be fun, there are so many beautiful breeds and I have a decent sized pond but I'm not up to dealing with their winter water needs. But, if I change my mind at some point, I'll remove my MHP from my back and make a MHP brooder for them. Unless I happen to have a broody hen .... I don't suppose they know a 2 day old chick from a 2 day old duckling, right?

 

[FaerieGlynne]

Great news all, thanks! I'm going to do this for my 'lings! Woohoo!

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
since you dont eat em Runner ducks are an excellent choice.... they are not into swimming much so a water tub would suffice for the occasional bath.... They Were at one time one of the best layers of eggsies..... Good for bread making and custards.... Oh and some lay blue eggs

deb

 

[bruceha2000]

Perhaps Deb but I don't really want to tote gallons and gallons of water from the house down to the barn in sub freezing weather all winter. And even when it isn't bath day (is that the 2nd or 3rd Saturday of each month?

) don't they still need open water for drinking while eating (or soon after?) I'm thinking they may not do so well with the saddle nipples.

 

[Blooie]

Back from our trip. Thanks everyone for picking up my slack.

 

[Couchmo]

Back from our trip.  Thanks everyone for picking up my slack.

Welcome back Blooie! You were missed

 

[gotro17]

@Blooie- Here's ours! I had an old tomato cage I had kept moving around the yard... I trimmed it up, squished it in the "back" and here we are! Here is one of the (Craigslist $20!) repurposed cabinet-brooders we are finishing. Hubby added more vent holes and a strip along the inside of the doors to keep shavings in. Just put 28 into lockdown tonight- first hatch! Wish me luck! I accidentally wrapped the whole thing in press n seal... Oops! Will change it tomorrow

 

[10AcreChick]

So...first time I've posted on this thread, found it yesterday and thought the heating pad was an awesome idea! I have 21 chicks coming in a month, and I have already set my indoor brooder up with two cave frames! I thought I'll probably need two of them for that many chicks. I am ready to purchase the pads and get the temp right, and I can also use them in my (soon to be expanded) chicken house.

I had a thought: and someone may have already brought this up... Anyone think to use the mama heating pad idea in an incubator? This is what I'm imagining... Line walls of box with Styrofoam to keep heat in, put large heating pad on bottom, with water pan/sponge on it, wire grate with towel and eggs on top of pan. Then make a cave that is only two to three inches tall and has heating pad on it to simulate broody hen butt! And of course a fan for air circulation. What do you all think?

 

[Blooie]

@Beekissed did indeed incubate chicks using a heating pad. She determined the results were mixed, but I have to tell you that her "experiment" gave me just the push I needed, in addition to Patrice Lopatin's video, to get this going for me and my chicks.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ral-nest-incubation-experiment-1-so-it-begins

There is a lot of information there, and she made some changes as she went along.

In the meantime, welcome to the Broody Brigade! Your membership dues are photos of your setup and chicks!

@gotro17 Welcome to you as well! The suggestions I would make is to flatten down the front of that tomato cage a bit...the chicks like that heat right at their backs at first. If you can bring that front towel down a bit too, they seem to like that sensation of "ducking under" to get warm or when they get scared. Have you seen the way @Beekissed set her pad up on the inside of the cave so chicks are less likely to get trapped? I've never had it happen, but someone on here did. Can't wait until you get your chicks! I know it's been pointed out how short a time they will be able to use that cool cabinet, and noticed in your response that you already have a larger one in the wings.