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

[eagrbeavr]

It's only 30 degrees out, but kinda sunny. Will 3 1/2 weeks chicks be okay outside for 20 mins in an enclosed pen while I clean out the brooder?

You wont know until you try it.

I'd just unplug the cave and put it out there with them. It'll hold heat for awhile. If theyre not happy they'll certainly let you know

Just my opinion

 

[dyorto]

I think I'm going to attempt to make a feeder out of a tote and pvc pipe

 

[Stehiiboo]

Its 35f outside and 50f in garage coop. I have 3week and 2 week old chicks in our spare bdr and the 3 week olds have been roosting on the side of the brooder. So its only a matter of time before they jump to the outside of the brooder.

If i put the mhp on high do you think they will be okay in the garage coop tonight? Its going to get down to 24f outside. I have a small radiator oil heater inside the coop which is helping to keep it warmer in there.

 

[Blooie]

I don't see why not, as long as they are familiar with the MHP cave and know to go under it if they get chilled. I brood mine outdoors from the start and here in Northern Wyoming it still gets mighty cold.

 

[GardenNut]

I think I'm going to attempt to make a feeder out of a tote and pvc pipe

I've seen the pvc feeders and waterers but not with a tote. I'm intrigued. I look forward to some pictures! I'm newbie and am enjoying making things for my chicks.

 

[COChix]

Opened the kennel today to let the chicks run around their brooder set up. A couple of times I checked and they managed to squeeze into gaps and in with the adult flock. Didn't have any issues, closed those gaps, just in case. Took some cute pics of preening this am...

Also I did turn down their pad yesterday as Thursday night it didn't get below 88, so turned it down to 5. This am I checked my thermostats this am and the low was 81. They are feathering now after getting moved, I saw the beginning of tail feathers today.

 

[COChix]

Glad to see the most recent tomato cage frame going to be modified. Here is what I did last year with my tomato cage. I didn't totally enclose ours and we had no issues, just with 15 they outgrew it fast.

 

[dyorto]

It got closer to 40 out so I let the chicks play outside while I cleaned their messy home. They seemed to have a great time out there! Now they are fussing and mad trying to put their brooder back they way they like it

 

[StephiJo]

Hi there. I've read through quite a few of these posts, but not all 513 pages! Wow! I just tried the MHP method for the first time. I really like it but did have one chick death and I want to mention it so others don't have this same problem. I had the heating pad on top of the frame. Then I had 2 towels wrapped in press n seal cause 1 wasn't big enough to cover it all up. The 2 towels overlapped by about 4". This morning I went out to check on the chicks and one had crawled in between the 2 towels and suffocated. I feel awful cause I could have avoided it. I've now taken away all towels and don't care if the heating pad itself gets pooped on. At least they can't get trapped between anything. I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else. Other than this sad event, I still think the method is a good one and better than a heat lamp.

 

[COChix]

Hi there. I've read through quite a few of these posts, but not all 513 pages! Wow! I just tried the MHP method for the first time. I really like it but did have one chick death and I want to mention it so others don't have this same problem. I had the heating pad on top of the frame. Then I had 2 towels wrapped in press n seal cause 1 wasn't big enough to cover it all up. The 2 towels overlapped by about 4". This morning I went out to check on the chicks and one had crawled in between the 2 towels and suffocated. I feel awful cause I could have avoided it. I've now taken away all towels and don't care if the heating pad itself gets pooped on. At least they can't get trapped between anything. I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else. Other than this sad event, I still think the method is a good one and better than a heat lamp.

Sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing with everyone in this thread.