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

[Coop de Grass]

Wish I had a photo of my 8 chicks trying to get under the Buff Orpington broody when they were 5 weeks old! She managed to get them all under her on the roost! I will have to see if I can isolate a frame from the video.

Here she is last week - 6 chicks are under and two on the side

 

[beautifulpirate]

Moved the chicks this morning. They seem to be doing well. Tossed a few treats in to get them feeling a bit more comfortable in their new surroundings. Noticing some tail feathers on one of he welsummers. And the rir who got tail feathers already is getting shoulder feathers already! I haven't even had the birds for 2 weeks and they are already growing like weeds!

 

[emorems0]

I rearranged the MHP today in preparation for taking the chicks outside. I felt like it wasn't warm enough underneath because of the way I had the mylar wrapped and having the pad on top of the rack instead of directly against the chicks.

So, I started with a wire shelf that was only $3.50 from Walmart since I didn't have extra wire around to make a frame. I ordered online to pick up in store (they weren't in stock at the store). Online it is called 'grey helper shelf' and it was the 'large' size.

Cut a piece of cardboard to fit on top

Wrap in mylar space blanket (or whatever else, I had this on hand. Really just to secure the cardboard.

Flip it over and use bungee to secure each side. I had to tie a knot in my bungee to make it tight enough.

It sags a little, but not bad. And the chicks can cozy right up against the warm fuzziness.

Then I draped a towel on top, followed with a paper towel.ill put straw on top too once I put it in the outside brooder.

I tucked the paper towel and towel under the bungee to keep it from shifting.

So here's what the layers look like finished.

 

[Molpet]

I rearranged the MHP today in preparation for taking the chicks outside. I felt like it wasn't warm enough underneath because of the way I had the mylar wrapped and having the pad on top of the rack instead of directly against the chicks.

So, I started with a wire shelf that was only $3.50 from Walmart since I didn't have extra wire around to make a frame. I ordered online to pick up in store (they weren't in stock at the store). Online it is called 'grey helper shelf' and it was the 'large' size.

Cut a piece of cardboard to fit on top


Wrap in mylar space blanket (or whatever else, I had this on hand. Really just to secure the cardboard.


Flip it over and use bungee to secure each side. I had to tie a knot in my bungee to make it tight enough.

It sags a little, but not bad. And the chicks can cozy right up against the warm fuzziness.


Then I draped a towel on top, followed with a paper towel.ill put straw on top too once I put it in the outside brooder.



I tucked the paper towel and towel under the bungee to keep it from shifting.


So here's what the layers look like finished.

Just make sure they can't get in between the layers. Can you raise it as they grow?

 

[duluthralphie]

I rearranged the MHP today in preparation for taking the chicks outside. I felt like it wasn't warm enough underneath because of the way I had the mylar wrapped and having the pad on top of the rack instead of directly against the chicks.

So, I started with a wire shelf that was only $3.50 from Walmart since I didn't have extra wire around to make a frame. I ordered online to pick up in store (they weren't in stock at the store). Online it is called 'grey helper shelf' and it was the 'large' size.

Cut a piece of cardboard to fit on top


Wrap in mylar space blanket (or whatever else, I had this on hand. Really just to secure the cardboard.


Flip it over and use bungee to secure each side. I had to tie a knot in my bungee to make it tight enough.

It sags a little, but not bad. And the chicks can cozy right up against the warm fuzziness.


Then I draped a towel on top, followed with a paper towel.ill put straw on top too once I put it in the outside brooder.



I tucked the paper towel and towel under the bungee to keep it from shifting.


So here's what the layers look like finished.

I can see a chick untying the bungee cord and throwing it over a rafter and hanging itself, Suicide method #103

 

[Jensownzoo]

I can see a chick untying the bungee cord and throwing it over a rafter and hanging itself, Suicide method #103

We probably should just go ahead and add an emoji for chick suicide...it would save time.

 

[duluthralphie]

We probably should just go ahead and add an emoji for chick suicide...it would save time.

Or at least a list here with all the known methods listed on it...

 

[Jupiter]

Wow this thread is huge! I haven't had chicks in years, but I always worried about fires and heat lamps and no light/dark cycles. Ordered my head pad, should arrive today, and then I'm all set to go. I'm not putting that much effort, just the frame, pad, towel. I've never used pressnseal but should be interesting. I do like the ability to curve the sides down to the ground instead of the expensive hovering heat ufo type plate with all the heat loss and openness lacking a security feeling.

Mine are in the living room because they get snuggled while we watch tv or read and there's only 4 of them, but being able to turn OFF that light and have them actually able to sleep is a relief.

Thanks for starting this thread. The other video with Patricia Lopatin might have started you into it, but you started me

 

[COChix]

Gonna brood in an extra large wire dog kennel. I don't want to brood in the coop as there is no easy way to set one up without moving roosts around. Since the babies won't even be trying to roost right away, I have decided to go the Blooie method and use a dog kennel in the covered run. Anyone using one? Wondering if baby chicks can squeeze through the wire gaps?

 

[ShrekDawg]

Gonna brood in an extra large wire dog kennel. I don't want to brood in the coop as there is no easy way to set one up without moving roosts around. Since the babies won't even be trying to roost right away, I have decided to go the Blooie method and use a dog kennel in the covered run. Anyone using one? Wondering if baby chicks can squeeze through the wire gaps?

They probably can!! I was going to use 2x4 welded wire to give them more room but they could squeeze through even at a couple weeks old. So a wire kennnel is probably the same. Unless the gaps are smaller? They could fit through anything though. Maybe line it with hardware cloth or chicken wire?