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

[junebuggena]

The new additions to the flock and their heating pad cave, on Saturday. Most of them were about 24 hours old. I had to force them out for a drink and a sprinkling of crumble. Today, they are zipping in and out of the cave, and eating like tiny pigs. I've already had to make the arch taller. Really loving how easy it is to make adjustments.

 

[COChix]

Figured out where I am going to brood in the run....

doesnt look like much and it's wet from our past blizzard. Taking advantage of the already set up wind blocks. Wonder what it will become....stay turned.

Propped up some wind blocks on the west side of brooder area. The north side was already covered in reinforced plastic skrim (skins for greenhouses).


Not sure which shelf yet I am going to be using, depends on how many eggs make it into lockdown. Will know more tomorrow....is day 18!

e

 

[aart]

First Pip, whohoo!!!

No change in pip over night.. ..I know, I know, it can take 24 hours.
But it's a very small pip, no breathing seen and no peeping was ever heard...so am a bit concerned and/or rankled.
Maybe she's just a silent, sneaky one.

Was really hoping to have a few out and dry by the time I picked up the mill chicks today to avoid any territorial issues...
....and of course, worst case scenario always crosses my mind... OhNo, none are going to hatch!
Just venting....it's probably going to be an anxious day.

 

[Coop de Grass]

@COChix Nice! Don't know why I didn't think of pallets!

 

[mymilliefleur]

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

This is the way I've always done it. I've been brooding chicks with a heat pad for a lot of years now when I had an odd chick or two that didn't warrant running a heat lamp. last year I started using a pad exclusively. I like it so much better than the lamp!

I like your avatar, are the four eggs in the bottom row Easter Egger eggs? Some of those EE's sure pop out big eggs!

 

[mduerksen]

I created an MHP yesterday day, made some modifications to an old coop.and my 15- 4 day chciks went outside. I pit them all under the MHP but none wold stay. It was only 60 in the coop and they were running around and staying in the sunshine (part of the top is a window)
Anyway around 730 last night I climbed in and gathered them up and stuck them all under. They stayed!!!

This morning I found a couple out huddled against the back corner. Put them in. Heard happy chick noises. Went inside fed my human babies and went back out. A different one was out but ran back under.

Here is my concern. It's only 32 degrees in the coop. Until the sun starts hitting it. Will they come out to eat/drink? The food and water is close to the MHP. Should I climb in and pull them out and check on them?

 

[bobbi-j]

I created an MHP yesterday day, made some modifications to an old coop.and my 15- 4 day chciks went outside. I pit them all under the MHP but none wold stay. It was only 60 in the coop and they were running around and staying in the sunshine (part of the top is a window)
Anyway around 730 last night I climbed in and gathered them up and stuck them all under. They stayed!!!

This morning I found a couple out huddled against the back corner. Put them in. Heard happy chick noises. Went inside fed my human babies and went back out. A different one was out but ran back under.

Here is my concern. It's only 32 degrees in the coop. Until the sun starts hitting it. Will they come out to eat/drink? The food and water is close to the MHP. Should I climb in and pull them out and check on them?

Here's my opinion - even though chickens aren't the brightest creatures God created, they are able - from the very beginning - to know if they are hungry, thirsty, too warm or to cold. They won't die of starvation or dehydration before the coop warms up enough for them to come out to eat and drink.

 

[mduerksen]

Here's my opinion - even though chickens aren't the brightest creatures God created, they are able - from the very beginning - to know if they are hungry, thirsty, too warm or to cold. They won't die of starvation or dehydration before the coop warms up enough for them to come out to eat and drink.

My thoughts too. But I have never brooded outside so it brings up new concerns.

 

[dyorto]

Automatic doors..... Worth it or not? Go

 

[aart]

Can I get some 'votes'.... aka thumbs up/ovation counts as a vote.
PleaseandThankYou https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1089539/official-byc-caption-contest-03-21-2016-pic-by-chicken-girl1/20#post_16734205

I'm only 3 votes away from 1st place!


Quote:
Another egg is pipped, the first pipped a bit further and have heard some peeps from in there.
Soooo hard to be patient..and not worry!!



But I have a distraction...... as the mill chicks came in!!