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

[Beekissed]

Two to four inches are great for week old chicks and older. If you see them huddling together too much under that for warmth like they are too cold, you can always lower it. The temps that are under the pad aren't as important as the temps directly against the pad, as that is the area they are coming in contact with to gain warmth. As long as they can come in contact with the surface of the pad and the pad is warm enough to keep them comfortable, I'd not worry about the exact temps in the brooder space.

 

[TillyPeeps]

Two to four inches are great for week old chicks and older. If you see them huddling together too much under that for warmth like they are too cold, you can always lower it. The temps that are under the pad aren't as important as the temps directly against the pad, as that is the area they are coming in contact with to gain warmth. As long as they can come in contact with the surface of the pad and the pad is warm enough to keep them comfortable, I'd not worry about the exact temps in the brooder space.

Thanks for the quick reply. As a complete newbie, I have being learning a lot from your threads that have so much information. Just want to say thanks.

 

[Beekissed]

Thanks for the quick reply. As a complete newbie, I have being learning a lot from your threads that have so much information. Just want to say thanks.

YW! Makes my day to know someone is helped by my threads.

 

[eagrbeavr]

Ive read this thread and I'm all amped up about doing this. I've got 5 buckeyes and 2 marans coming this Spring.I got my heating pad and just ordered my brooder cage for the coop. I dont need the divider but it was part of the package with the top. Just need to get set up with proper food station and I'm set. Woohoo. This is going to be fun and I look forward to going thru it with you others trying it for the first time.

 

[aart]

Ive read this thread and I'm all amped up about doing this. I've got 5 buckeyes and 2 marans coming this Spring.I got my heating pad and just ordered my brooder cage for the coop. I dont need the divider but it was part of the package with the top. Just need to get set up with proper food station and I'm set. Woohoo. This is going to be fun and I look forward to going thru it with you others trying it for the first time.

That's a very interesting looking 'cage'......do you have a link to product info?

 

[Hholly]

Can anyone help me with the height of the frame? I have several steel frames just like this one from COChix, but different heights from 3" to 8". Does any one know what is the right height for one to two week old chicks? And I measured the temperature inside being about 80 degree. Is that too low? I have a second heat pad (hard surface for easy clean) can be put on the bottom if necessary. My original plan is to set the hard-surface pad (surface temperature is about 102 degree) outside so they have a different choice.

You can start with the 3'' high one.

 

[eagrbeavr]

That's a very interesting looking 'cage'......do you have a link to product info?

Yes its for guinea pigs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111893771455?euid=91ca2995f8ce4767bd50d976c109a0e5&cp=1

Heres one link for it. Available on several sites. I was fortunate enough to find a last one for 51 bucks to my house. Search around for price for sure

 

[eagrbeavr]

Its 2'x4'x17" h

 

[duluthralphie]

I am attempting to make one of these. I have set it up on the counter to try and figure out the heat. I have a thermometer probe under the middle of the cave.

I cannot get it above 84 degrees. What am I missing? I have it on 6... The cave is about 3-3 1/2 inches tall.

 

[Beekissed]

I am attempting to make one of these. I have set it up on the counter to try and figure out the heat. I have a thermometer probe under the middle of the cave.

I cannot get it above 84 degrees. What am I missing? I have it on 6... The cave is about 3-3 1/2 inches tall.

Place the thermometer directly against the pad and take a reading. That's where your chicks will be, with their backs against the heating pad. The HP is not a radiant heater like a heat lamp, it's a contact heater so the chicks must come in contact with the HP surface to gain adequate warmth from it.