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

[beautifulpirate]

We got six chicks. Should I expect them to outgrow this before it is time for them to move to the coop? First time chicken mama here so sorry if this seems silly. Measurements are 32 x 19 x 14h. We have more totes that we can use if necessary.

 

[bruceha2000]

I thought about that. Kind of hard to see the chicks if they are all sleeping in the cave when people come to buy. But the cave is easy to pick up so the chicks can be seen and collected. Ever buy tropical fish? Especially black loaches? Those suckers hide IN the gravel bed and are faster than lightning but somehow the people at the store can manage to catch them with some effort. Chicks in a MHPB equipped enclosure would be cake by comparison.

 

[bruceha2000]

We got six chicks. Should I expect them to outgrow this before it is time for them to move to the coop? First time chicken mama here so sorry if this seems silly. Measurements are 32 x 19 x 14h. We have more totes that we can use if necessary.

I think you are probably OK. I had 12 chicks in a bathtub for 3.5 weeks back in 2012. A bathtub 5' long at the top is a lot shorter at the bottom. Your problem is going to be finding them outside the tote unless you have a cover on it. They will be able to get out by flying from the top of the cave by a couple of weeks max.

I wanted to keep the food and water above the shavings so I got a piece of plywood and cut circular holes (saber saw) the diameter of the metal parts just under the rim and put wooden blocks on the outer edge. Not real clear in these pictures but you can get the idea.

 

[ShrekDawg]

It would be a PITA to sell, or buy, out of tub with an MHP in it....some places, lamps are fine.

Thats true too

 

[dyorto]

I'm trying to use this dog kennel my brooder but it seems to be infested....

 

[beautifulpirate]

I think you are probably OK. I had 12 chicks in a bathtub for 3.5 weeks back in 2012. A bathtub 5' long at the top is a lot shorter at the bottom. Your problem is going to be finding them outside the tote unless you have a cover on it. They will be able to get out by flying from the top of the cave by a couple of weeks max. I wanted to keep the food and water above the shavings so I got a piece of plywood and cut circular holes (saber saw) the diameter of the metal parts just under the rim and put wooden blocks on the outer edge. Not real clear in these pictures but you can get the idea.

Yeah we will either cut holes in the lid of the tote or lay some deer fence material over the top in a couple days. Love the idea of the holes in the blocks as mounts for the food and water. Might have to persuade the hubbs for something similar. I was also contemplating a little perch for the chicks... It's all a new process and lots of learning for me!

 

[TexasLisa]

I'm trying to use this dog kennel my brooder but it seems to be infested....

Those are very rare and beautiful!! Where did you get them????

Very cute girls!!

 

[10AcreChick]

As promised, a pic of my coop brooder. My friend helped me design it, the left side detaches and it rolls up into the corner at right when not in use. I love hardware cloth! Door goes to an outside chick cage that they haven't been brave enough to use yet. The top folds up to attach to the wall when I'm working in it.

I also put "Mr.", the pasty butt chick roo, in a cage close to them. He's doing better!

 

[MesMama]

Mine was about 2' x 6' in the corner of the 10' x 12' coop. Given I had only 7 chicks, it was far bigger than necessary but I had no idea how long Zorra would keep them in there at night (2 weeks), how long she would mother them (2 months) or if they were going to need to use it as they got bigger (nope).

Your 18 sq ft should be fine. The chicks will be ready for the full coop and no MHP by the time they are 4 weeks old, if not sooner. Hopefully they will be integrated with the rest of the flock by then.

Perfect! Thank you!!

 

[micheleomal]

Blooie, that tote is connected to another via a tunnel. Last year I had 19 chicks in there (under heat lamps

) for 3 wks then moved them to an appliance box. This year I have a grow out pen in the coop waiting for them with XL MHP up and running already. I'll probably wait until my eggs hatch on Thursday and let these 3 show the new chicks how the system works for a few days before moving them outdoors. This week is supposed to be snowy with lows in the teens so I think I will enjoy them inside a little longer than planned...though I'm sure they'd be fine outside.