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

[mobius]

Everyone is alive this morning <3 Thankful for that! And thankful for all of you here in this thread for your constant help and support

It's so funny, I love watching them pop over to the feeder, grab a drink, maybe some more feed and scoot back under mama, so cute! I could watch them for hours!

It's in the low 20's and so it's the chilliest day so far for them outside, I have it set on 4. It's supposed to get up to 60

So glad they are okay this morning...With that, I have chilly nights (freezing or below) and put it up to 6, but that is just me. Last week I turned it down to five. At about 4.5 weeks, I have checked and they are all under MHP overnight still...the wire makes it really easy to adjust the height...and they all still fit (barely).

 

[mobius]

I've had good luck with press-n-seal. After seeing some uses here, I've pretty much started putting it on everything - roosting perch, top of MHP with extra layer to peel off after they invariably poop there, around outdoor plug to keep rain off while I need an extension cord to coop. I wrapped it around the big dog crate I use to give them outside time so they cant get through the bars and to block some wind. I'm moving my ladies outside next weekend as they are restless and getting big and mostly feathered. I've had no trouble with pasty butt, but i gave them clump of sod from day one, plus that log thingy thay they peck at that is supposed to keep this problem at bay. No electrolites, no probiotics (until they go outside), some small amounts of chick grit because I wanted them to expect treats from my hand. They adore dried mealworms, but I've gven less lately after reading treas may not be great for them yet.

By far, though, the best thing I've learned in this new adventure as a first time chck mom s the Mama Heatng Pad, instead of a heat lamp. I will never ever risk a heat lamp again! And the added bonus of learning how useful the press-n-seal is....I cannot say enough thank yous!

GREAT ideas on the press and seal!!! Will be using on the extension cord!

 

[dyorto]

Everyone is alive this morning <3 Thankful for that! And thankful for all of you here in this thread for your constant help and support

It's so funny, I love watching them pop over to the feeder, grab a drink, maybe some more feed and scoot back under mama, so cute! I could watch them for hours!

It's in the low 20's and so it's the chilliest day so far for them outside, I have it set on 4. It's supposed to get up to 60

This is one of the reasons I do enjoy brooding inside the house. It's so fun to watch them and see their personalities. I would miss that if they were outside! Mine should be entering awkward teenage phase soon

 

[MesMama]

So glad they are okay this morning...With that, I have chilly nights (freezing or below) and put it up to 6, but that is just me. Last week I turned it down to five. At about 4.5 weeks, I have checked and they are all under MHP overnight still...the wire makes it really easy to adjust the height...and they all still fit (barely).

Do you have it on 6 all the time or just at night? And how many chicks do you have?

 

[mobius]

Do you have it on 6 all the time or just at night? And how many chicks do you have?

I did have it on 6 all the time, for six chicks...moved to 5 about four days ago...they were playing musical chairs with it last night

 

[MesMama]

I did have it on 6 all the time, for six chicks...moved to 5 about four days ago...they were playing musical chairs with it last night

Interesting. So I have 19 chicks, MHP is about 24" across and it's set on 4. I need to pop out there more often today and make sure they're coming out to eat regularly, make sure I don't have it set too low? I just figured with that many chicks they wouldn't need it set as high? Thoughts? Anyone chime in

 

[mymilliefleur]

So your heating pad is on the ground?
I know couple folks who do it that way on another forum.

Yes I prefer to keep the heat pad on the bottom and than put a box or hoop over it. Since heat rises I think it stays warmer that way (at least that's my theory) and also with the heat pad spread out I can brood a larger number of chicks at a time.I keep the pad covered with wood shavings or shredded paper, so it stays pretty clean. Once in a while I take the cover off the pad, and run it through the washing machine.

 

[MesMama]

This is one of the reasons I do enjoy brooding inside the house. It's so fun to watch them and see their personalities. I would miss that if they were outside! Mine should be entering awkward teenage phase soon

How do you deal with the constant cheeping noise? Man, I'm just now not hearing it when it's quiet LOL! I thought I would eventually tune it out...nope

 

[eagrbeavr]

They shouldnt be doing that. Theres something thats not making them happy. What are they doing when theyre chirping constantly

 

[COChix]

Yes I prefer to keep the heat pad on the bottom and than put a box or hoop over it. Since heat rises I think it stays warmer that way (at least that's my theory) and also with the heat pad spread out I can brood a larger number of chicks at a time.I keep the pad covered with wood shavings or shredded paper, so it stays pretty clean. Once in a while I take the cover off the pad, and run it through the washing machine.

Interesting, how long have you been doing it this way?