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

[GardenNut]

First, the pen is not as dirty as it looks. I changed the pad yesterday, but they spread feed everywhere so fast, then mix in a little poop and it looks ,,well. like the picture shows it.. This is a little BA that wanted to sit on the top of the MHP last night but was just too tired to keep awake or hold her head up. It was so funny, she did the head jerk a person does when sitting and nodding off, ending up like this. The picture quality is bad because I did not want to wake them with the flash.

That's is so cute and funny! Guess that means you're doing something right!

 

[Molpet]

Hi folks - exciting day today - 15 baby chicks arrived in the mail! There were actually 16, but one little girl didn't make it, sadly. Our first time with chicks so we are fretting a bit, wondering if they are warm enough. Hopefully the MHP is doing the job, though they keep coming out and chirping loudly (just a few at a time- most are huddled under there). Would anyone be willing to look at the pics and a) tell us what you think we have, and b) check out the MHP set up to see if it looks ok? We plan to move them into a bigger brooder (3'x6') in a few days as they get bigger.

According to McMurray's we are expecting to have: "Cochins, Campines, Red Caps, the exotic Polish varieties, and many many more in pullets only."

Ok.. the pics are taking forever to upload, so I'll start with a quick question - does loud chirping always mean unhappy chick that needs something they are not getting? And how long does it take them to "learn" to go under MHP? Most of them are regularly hanging out there now, which is good, but a few keep coming out then making a lot of noise... do i just need to continue to gently encourage them back in?

well the chicks have no idea where they are at, so they tend to chrip loud the first day . It takes a day for some to learn to go under, you have to put them in a couple of times... the ones that come out may just be trying to figure out where they are....

 

[jaslyman]

well the chicks have no idea where they are at, so they tend to chrip loud the first day . It takes a day for some to learn to go under, you have to put them in a couple of times... the ones that come out may just be trying to figure out where they are....

Thanks! This really helps a lot. We just don't know what to expect - this is reassuring, so thanks again.

 

[Molpet]

Thanks! This really helps a lot. We just don't know what to expect - this is reassuring, so thanks again.

make sure they are drinking, they will not eat much for the first few days

 

[dyorto]

well the chicks have no idea where they are at, so they tend to chrip loud the first day . It takes a day for some to learn to go under, you have to put them in a couple of times... the ones that come out may just be trying to figure out where they are.... 

I had a few loud chirpers the first 2-3 days and I would just try to guide them under the MHP. Usually they settled down fairly quickly.

 

[GranolaGirl72]

Chicks ran under heating pad, box is from pad 6x12x3 Watching thermometer, has climbed to 80 so far. They have gone very quiet....

 

[Blooie]

I saw on another thread that you have your heating pad set on 6. This setup might be fine for a day or so, but you will be amazed at how fast they'll grow - sometimes it seems like you can stand next to the brooder and hear them growing!! So I think what I'd do first is turn the heating pad down. It's pretty close to their backs, and your set up is indoors and closed within a solid cardboard box, so they don't need it that high. Chicks (and adult chickens) don't do well with too much heat, despite the dire warnings to keep them super warm at all times. They get lethargic, just like we do if we are sitting on the patio in 100 degree heat with no way to cool down. So turn your MHP down to about 4 and see how they do....I'll bet they'll come out a little more and explore a little more if they aren't overheated. If they start bunching up and acting cold, you can gently pop them back under and see if they relax.

I know you said this was temporary...what will your next brooder be like? I think the next thing I do is try to make a frame that's adjustable. It doesn't have to be fancy - just a piece of hardware cloth with the sharp points taped over and some dowels stuck into it across the top to help it keep its shape would be just fine.

 

[jaslyman]

Can anyone ID these for us?

 

[GranolaGirl72]

I saw on another thread that you have your heating pad set on 6.  This setup might be fine for a day or so, but you will be amazed at how fast they'll grow - sometimes it seems like you can stand next to the brooder and hear them growing!!  So I think what I'd do first is turn the heating pad down.  It's pretty close to their backs, and your set up is indoors and closed within a solid cardboard box, so they don't need it that high.  Chicks (and adult chickens) don't do well with too much heat, despite the dire warnings to keep them super warm at all times. They get lethargic, just like we do if we are sitting on the patio in 100 degree heat with no way to cool down. So turn your MHP down to about 4 and see how they do....I'll bet they'll come out a little more and explore a little more if they aren't overheated.  If they start bunching up and acting cold, you can gently pop them back

so they seem to be coming in and out pretty much on their own with the exception of one of the Easter Eggers. I can already tell the Barred Rock is going to be the leader of the pack she seems to have things kind of figured out. Figures She's Mine . I have the heating pad set on high, it does not have number Heating the idea was to put them out into the garage and not keep them in the house. The next set up for the brooder is a dish drainer. I kind of wondered about the heat because if you actually set a thermometer on the pad it is closer to 110 hundred and fifteen. Maybe I should just go ahead with the taller drainer?

 

[perchie.girl]

Can anyone ID these for us?

I live chimponk chiks.... have no clue.

deb