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

[azygous]

Good wishes,Blooie!
Need help guys - does anyone think the space under their mama heating pad feels a little too cold? In other words, when you stick your hand in the cave does it feel warm enough? The chicks just arrived and are huddled under the cave together chirping quietly, but when I put my hand under the cave it doesn't feel "hot" just "warm "(not even super warm ). They are being brooded in the coop,btw. I have a thermometer that I will try to get a reading on, but I'm not sure it works great. Maybe I'm just worrying too much? ?

Which side of your pad do you have facing downward? If it's not the side with the writing on it, then that's your problem. The two sides of the Sunbeam pad are different temps, the hotter being the side with the writing.

 

[bruceha2000]

Good wishes,Blooie!
Need help guys - does anyone think the space under their mama heating pad feels a little too cold? In other words, when you stick your hand in the cave does it feel warm enough? The chicks just arrived and are huddled under the cave together chirping quietly, but when I put my hand under the cave it doesn't feel "hot" just "warm "(not even super warm ). They are being brooded in the coop,btw. I have a thermometer that I will try to get a reading on, but I'm not sure it works great. Maybe I'm just worrying too much? ?

Blooie would tell you not to worry about how warm the air in the cave feels (or is), pay attention to their activity.

It is contact with the pad, like contact with the hen, and contact with other chicks that is important. I'm pretty sure there was no volume of airspace under Zorra when she brooded the chicks. But she did have to get "larger" as they grew. Kinda funny seeing her with her wings all tented out to make space. And then there is the cuteness of little heads sticking out between the feathers.

 

[NotAFarm]

Well, cat is out of the bag. Right now laying in hospital in Lovell Wyoming waiting for ambulance to take me to Billings for a heart cath and probable stenting this morning. This we did not expect already. Wish me luck!

Bloonie, Prayers for your speedy recovery!

 

[COChix]

I've not used a mama heating pad, but from my experience raising chicks, "warm" is adequate. If they chicks huddle together tightly and dog pile on top of each other, it usually means they are too cold. If they huddle comfortably and are chirping happily, they are o.k. I've brooded new chicks in temperatures as low as high 70's F and they were happy, happy. Let their behaviour guide you.

Sumi, thanks for jumping in and helping out. Good advice.

Which side of your pad do you have facing downward? If it's not the side with the writing on it, then that's your problem. The two sides of the Sunbeam pad are different temps, the hotter being the side with the writing.

Good point, one I forget.

 

[eagrbeavr]

The two sides of the Sunbeam pad are different temps, the hotter being the side with the writing.

Thank you for that! Sure enough mine was upside down. Cool. Corrected before the tinies arrive

 

[member 373180]

Good luck, Blooie. I've been lurking so long I feel that I know you. Was waiting to pay my picture tax after the peeps get here next week. All, the best!

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
and the cutness of all dem feet under neath when the hen is out foraging....

deb

 

[Hholly]

Thank you. When the thermometer is placed right under (making contact with)the heating pad,it reads 90 degree. When it is on the cave floor it reads 60!the cave is only 5 inches high on one side and 4 on the other. The chicks are under it with their backs touching the "roof" and making contact with the pad. They seem content and quiet. I'm just worried about nighttime since it will be hovering around freezing tonight outside!

If they seem content, they are probably fine. But You could possibly lower it down a bit depending on their age. 5-6 inches high is a bit high for chicks younger than 3 weeks old or so. If they are younger, try 3-4 inches.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Makes sense that they are not sleeping under it given your temps of 57 - 60's. I had ours inside a giant tub for about 1 week inside. They slept under the cave a lot at first. By day 7 they were outside in April in Colorado. Lows were mid 40's and as low as 31, they were in a small coop set up with the MHP. since they were outside they utilized the cave more into about week 3 for sleeping then they started to sprawl out at the opening And around the front of the cave.

Interestingly, they don't want to sleep in it overnight (tried to put them under it thinking they got stranded away from it in the dark - they refused and all came back out so I gave up). They enjoy their pig pile instead (the previous chicks did this EXACT same thing) - as warm as it is, I really do think it's for comfort, and there are enough of them (14) to keep each other warm if it gets cooler overnight. But during the day, when I pop in to do a head count, one or two will always be under the MHP (not the same ones) - it seems to be more for quiet comfort and a nap.

When the Naked Necks were in the brooder, it was actually quite warm some days, when they were fully feathered and 4 weeks old (and waiting to move into their tractor). They just loved to cuddle and still slept in a big pile. They are now 24 weeks old, laying eggs, in a very nice coop with a hen house and roosts. They all still prefer to sleep in a pile on the coop run floor - the great big flock cockerel lets the little girls burrow under him to sleep. I spent a solid week or two trying to relocate them to the roosts each night before giving up (the whole thing is secure against predators).

Well, cat is out of the bag. Right now laying in hospital in Lovell Wyoming waiting for ambulance to take me to Billings for a heart cath and probable stenting this morning. This we did not expect already. Wish me luck!

On one hand, I'm sure sorry that you have to go through this. On the other hand, I'm glad it was detected and they are doing something about it right away. All my thoughts and prayers are with you right now.

- Ant Farm

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Praying the Lord will Encourage you with his Presence, Comfort you with his Peace.

Stay strong Blooie!