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

[Bowldy45]

I am a complete newbie to this but for what it's worth I have pine shavings under the heating pad and have not had any issues with that.

Thank you!!

 

[NotAFarm]

I opened my heating pad and turned it on to check it out. Did any one else notice an odor when first turning on their MHP? It doesn't smell like anything is burning, just a very chemically smell from the plastic cover.
This is the one I got:


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00075M1T6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

 

[ShrekDawg]

I too had pine shavings in mine and no problems! The HP is designed to come into contact with skin so it really doesn't get hot enough to burn anything

Also where do you live? I'm not sure the lamp is even necessary

 

[ShrekDawg]

I opened my heating pad and turned it on to check it out. Did any one else notice an odor when first turning on their MHP? It doesn't smell like anything is burning, just a very chemically smell from the plastic cover.
This is the one I got:


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00075M1T6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

I never noticed an odor with mine but then again I got the XPressHeat one. I do know others on here have that one though so hopefully they answer. And hopefully maybe the smell will wear off after a few uses? Or is it possible to wash that one?

 

[ShanandGem]

Mine stunk the first several hours it was on. It will go away. Just let it run for a day or so before you put chicks under it.

 

[Bowldy45]

I too had pine shavings in mine and no problems! The HP is designed to come into contact with skin so it really doesn't get hot enough to burn anything

Also where do you live? I'm not sure the lamp is even necessary

I am in north central Montana. I was mostly concerned with the overnight temps, but also found a thread on here where someone uses feather dusters as a place for the chicks to gather under too. The coop is very well insulated, and stays at a good 50-60* without any kind of extra heat. Just makes me very nervous to use the lamp, and I want to use the natural day/night light more than anything artificial

 

[NotAFarm]

Mine stunk the first several hours it was on. It will go away. Just let it run for a day or so before you put chicks under it.

Thank you! That is what I was hoping. I'll use it here in the house for a few days and hope it all wears off.

 

[CGilbert]

Ok all, new chick momma here! After reading thru all these wonderful and very helpful posts, I do have a question 


  I did have a different type of brooder all set and ready for the chicks I am getting in 3 weeks, but now will be making changes and using part of the old, and incorporating the MHP method. My only concern, and one I didn't see an answer to is,, will the MHP heat up the pine shavings I have in the brooder to the point of setting them on fire?  Or possibly drying the out even more that I need to be concerned. I do have a red light set up inside the insulated, and well ventilated coop, but I am NOT a fan of any light hanging and possibly setting fire to the whole thing!
  
  Thank you all so much for the help, and great advice on here! I am really getting excited, and nervous, for the chicks to get here!! Hubby is hoping I don't change my mind, again, on how I want all this set up, lol.

I was selling baby chicks and had to bring them to work last week. I put a heating pad directly underneath a cardboard box. The chicks were on fleece in the box, but I had a thermometer in there also. It got up to 110° on the side that had the heat pad under it, but that is not hot enough too worry about.
And don't worry, the chicks are smart, they were halfway between the hot side and the non heated side.

 

[Jensownzoo]

I opened my heating pad and turned it on to check it out. Did any one else notice an odor when first turning on their MHP? It doesn't smell like anything is burning, just a very chemically smell from the plastic cover.
This is the one I got:


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00075M1T6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

I don't have that one, but from experience with other heating mats, you will get that odor. Just keep it on the first time until it dissipates...likely will not be as strong the second time.

 

[perchie.girl]

Ok all, new chick momma here! After reading thru all these wonderful and very helpful posts, I do have a question


I did have a different type of brooder all set and ready for the chicks I am getting in 3 weeks, but now will be making changes and using part of the old, and incorporating the MHP method. My only concern, and one I didn't see an answer to is,, will the MHP heat up the pine shavings I have in the brooder to the point of setting them on fire? Or possibly drying the out even more that I need to be concerned. I do have a red light set up inside the insulated, and well ventilated coop, but I am NOT a fan of any light hanging and possibly setting fire to the whole thing!

Thank you all so much for the help, and great advice on here! I am really getting excited, and nervous, for the chicks to get here!! Hubby is hoping I don't change my mind, again, on how I want all this set up, lol.

no. the heating pad wont get hot enough. No need.... because you are trying to duplicate the BTUs that a momma hen produces.

we just had a tragic fire on the coops page where someone lost their coop and chicks and about thirty chickens due to a heat lamp... So sad... Heat lamps get very very ver hot over four hundred degress. To heat the air around and under neath to reach the chicks....

heating pad provides direct warmth without emitting light. Its the light emitting part that is the killer with heat lamps.

deb