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

[dyorto]

Thanks for the input on the automatic door. Our coop is a not right close to the house and I'm just thinking how convenient it would be in the mornings for me. I am not exactly ready to jump out of the bed in the morning, so I plan just enough time to get myself and the kids ready and out the door for work and the the bus. Also on those few days that I can actually sleep in, I could do it without feeling guilty about it and picturing the pitiful chicken faces at the door

 

[dyorto]

I also noticed when I got home, that at some point during the day, the chickies decided that the clump of sod wasn't so scary anymore. Now it's scattered all over the brooder

 

[Blooie]

Well for pity's sake! I leave you guys for half a day and have 36 posts to catch up with when I get back on! But first things first -

PATRICE!!! WELCOME
I'm so happy to see you here!!! See what you started? And as you can also see, it's been very warmly received. Some have gotten fancy with it, some are still a little concerned, but eager to get started, and some are of the "keep it as simple as possible" camp. But no matter how it's being done, the chicks come out the winners!

For those who don't know, Patrice had the video that I saw two years ago when I was up to my eyebrows in chick dander, wearing ear plugs because of the cheeping all night, overheating the little dears with a heat lamp and saying, 'There has GOT to be a better way!" I found the video and told Ken I'm never raising chicks in the house again! I know you've heard Patrice's name here on many occasions. Then @Beekissed did her natural incubation experiment and sealed the deal for me. Mama Heating Pad saved Scout's life, saved my sanity, and I've always been proud to give Patrice and Bee full honors! All I did was stick it all in one place. For those of you who are really new, here's a video of mine outdoors. For those of you rolling your eyes and saying, "Again?" go stand in the corner!!

Okay, now, let's see how I do here.....automatic doors. Wouldn't have one. My pop door is open 24/7 so they can move freely between the two as they want. Coop and run are both as predator proof as humanly possible, but I don't believe there is such a thing as a totally predator proof set-up. I can't believe in a 100% predator-proof coop or run because as soon as I started relying on just the fencing or whatever to do the protecting, it becomes too easy to get complacent. And it takes a predator less time to find a weak spot or bit of breaking down than it takes me to type it. so we builta s well as we could, then we continue to monitor, watch, repair, and don't let our guard down. They say build it like Fort Knox - I say even Fort Knox has regular maintenance, guards, and other security in place as well.

@aart Those are some cute little chickies you hooked up with at the mill!! Still anxious to see what you have coming out of the incubator, too! By the way, I can't remember who asked but @aart was right - I'm only on day 7 with mine and it ain't looking good for a lot of them. <sigh> I'll know more after I candle tonight but there were a lot of air cells still floating freely in them last time.

I know I'm missing a lot of responses to posts.....who'd I miss??? I am old, and easily confused.

 

[MesMama]

Evening all Question about lighting in your brooder? Ours is fairly dark even with the window in the top, think dark like in a basement room with a small window, especially dark where their feeders and waterer are located. Do they need a certain amount of light? any suggestions? Thx

 

[aart]

Evening all

Question about lighting in your brooder? Ours is fairly dark even with the window in the top, think dark like in a basement room with a small window, especially dark where their feeders and waterer are located. Do they need a certain amount of light? any suggestions? Thx

I use a white light when it's dim where they are....but turn it off late afternoon, several hours before sunset so they go thru natural sunset.
Can't remember where/what your brooder is, but any chance to increase the natural light in there would be a good idea.

@Blooie One hatched, one pipped....mill chicks in MHP....hope to see buncha eggs poppin' tomorrow.

 

[mobius]

I use a white light when it's dim where they are....but turn it off late afternoon, several hours before sunset so they go thru natural sunset.
Can't remember where/what your brooder is, but any chance to increase the natural light in there would be a good idea.

x1 ! Natural light and day/night are great, but my bathroom was a little dark, so light on during day and off at twilight...

 

[Blooie]

Is that the only place for the brooder? They really thrive with natural daylight and I think you're right, that one little window up high isn't likely to be enough. As much as I squawk about artificial lighting, this might be one of those times.....

Oooh, and I see @aart beat me to the bell! I'm cute, but I'm slow!!

 

[MesMama]

I use a white light when it's dim where they are....but turn it off late afternoon, several hours before sunset so they go thru natural sunset.
Can't remember where/what your brooder is, but any chance to increase the natural light in there would be a good idea.

@Blooie
 One hatched, one pipped....mill chicks in MHP....hope to see buncha eggs poppin' tomorrow.

Is that the only place for the brooder?  They really thrive with natural daylight and I think you're right, that one little window up high isn't likely to be enough. As much as I squawk about artificial lighting, this might be one of those times.....

Oooh, and I see @aart
 beat me to the bell! I'm cute, but I'm slow!!

The brooder can't be moved And it's against the south wall, window on the east side. And we didn't think about the natural light when we built it, oooops! We could cut more out of the lid? See pic below. wonder about those touch light things to a fix to the lid or the wall even? I think they're battery operated? We don't have anymore outlets in the coop, not that we can't have more put in I guess

 

[bruceha2000]

Cut more windows in the coop

 

[MesMama]

MHP is on the left side where more light is coming in, the outlets are right above the lid to the left. The feeders are to the right where it's dark. This pic actually shows the lighting issue prett well