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

[BantyChooks]

I guess they just dont know better. We here are 'in the know'. I couldnt help but strut my strutter, so to speak, when I saw My Pet Chicken (or one of those) put a post up on FB of the chicks they sent to Martha Stewart and her hoytie toytie brooder.....with lamps!! Haha I laughed out loud. In total knee jerk reaction I responded how people 'in the know' dont use those archaic lamps and sent a link over to here. 

 

[GardenNut]

Thanks eagrbeavr! I thought the bedding might dry out in the warm, sunny bedroom I have the box in, but I'm a little worried about the chicks breathing in mold. My mother is rolling over in her grave. She never fussed over her chickens like this. Lol!

 

[GardenNut]

I wonder if Martha Stewart has a chick nanny?

 

[Blooie]

So, it looks like tomorrow is the day! I will be getting my first batch of MHP chicks. I have been working on the set up, I will take pictures as soon as it is ready. I am super nervous. I can't wait to post my babies here, underneath their new momma!

You'll be fine! Welcome to the Broody Brigade! This thread has certainly taken on a life and "personality" all it's own!! I am so glad!

I wonder if Martha Stewart has a chick nanny?

I don't usually like to sound disrespectful, and most of you younger folks won't know what I'm talking about anyway, but there was an old movie that reminds me so much of Ms. Stewart - "Christmas in Connecticut". It's a cheesy favorite of mine..watch it every chance I get despite knowing most of the dialog by heart. Yeah, she's kinda like that.....

 

[eagrbeavr]

Well do whatever makes you sleep at night, for sure. This is your game. If this is your first time its completely understandable to be nervous and want to make sure you're doing everything right. Do what makes you feel comfortable. And yes, I would bet Martha has nannies tending to those chicks when the cameras are not around.

 

[Molpet]

About the only thing that's SWANKY around here are the chicken accommodations. Everything else is a bloomin' mess!

LOL same here

 

[eagrbeavr]

x2 !! I just lucked out and came across my swank.

 

[GardenNut]

Thanks again eagrbeavr! I'm sure it'll all be fine. I haven't fretted this much since I was pregnant with my daughter, 29 years ago! Just checked the temp on MHP, 95 degrees! Turned it down to "4." I can't wait to get my babies.

And Blooie, I gotta check out that movie!

 

[eagrbeavr]

Pattycat Congratulations! Get them settled in and have some wine to settle those nerves

 

[ShrekDawg]

I think people don't do it mostly because they don't know but also just because heating lamps are the way it's always been done. Heck, my dad even asked a family friend and manager at a feed store, without telling me he asked, and he apparently said they don't "need" a heating pad and a lamp was fine. Well yes that is true but it is simply BETTER for them. Then there's the cost. I got mine on amazon for around $37, brokeafter 6 days, had to have my brother drive me to CVS immediately to get one, now CVS is overpriced anyway but only 2 minutes from our house, and my brother was trying to tell me I did not need the most expensive one there and what was wring with this one (their brand) and it was $40 etc. Well I insisted and bought it myself but I see his point, $40 for a pad seems like a lot, and it is, especially for CHICKENS, when a heat lamp costs a couple bucks. But it's so much better and safer. And also, I am sure I could find a cheaper pad, plenty others have, but they were my first chicks, one was dying/already dead, and I knew this worked and didn't want to chance it on one I wasn't sure on. Next time I can take the time to find one with no auto off or with an override feature for cheaper if I need to. But this shoulr last a few seasons and is washable and imo far preferable.