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

[AllynTal]

I have 15 chicks coming at the end of the week. It's been a very long time since I dealt with teenies, and this is my first time with the MHP. I know a lot of you all have concerns about keeping the chicks warm enough, but I'm on the other end of the spectrum. With daytime temps in the mid 70s to low 80s and overnight temps in the low-to-mid 60s I'm wondering what I should start the heating pad on. They'll be outside in a little brooder coup until the big coup is finished, probably in a couple of weeks. I'm thinking just put it on low and see how they do? Higher, do you think?

And grats on quitting smoking. I quit 20 years ago after smoking for 20 years. I still have moments when it would be nice to have a cigarette. The after-dinner cigarette was the one I missed the most. A trick I remembered doing right after I quit when I felt a little tense and really had the urge to light one up was to put two fingers to my lips spaced about the width of a cigarette apart and then suck air between my fingers like I was taking a deep drag. I'd do that a couple of times and the tension would mellow a bit. It might take my body a moment to realize, "Hey! There was no nicotine in that!" but by then, the emergency had passed.

 

[mobius]

I have 15 chicks coming at the end of the week. It's been a very long time since I dealt with teenies, and this is my first time with the MHP. I know a lot of you all have concerns about keeping the chicks warm enough, but I'm on the other end of the spectrum. With daytime temps in the mid 70s to low 80s and overnight temps in the low-to-mid 60s I'm wondering what I should start the heating pad on. They'll be outside in a little brooder coup until the big coup is finished, probably in a couple of weeks. I'm thinking just put it on low and see how they do? Higher, do you think?

And grats on quitting smoking. I quit 20 years ago after smoking for 20 years. I still have moments when it would be nice to have a cigarette. The after-dinner cigarette was the one I missed the most. A trick I remembered doing right after I quit when I felt a little tense and really had the urge to light one up was to put two fingers to my lips spaced about the width of a cigarette apart and then suck air between my fingers like I was taking a deep drag. I'd do that a couple of times and the tension would mellow a bit. It might take my body a moment to realize, "Hey! There was no nicotine in that!" but by then, the emergency had passed.

I think if you put it on low and then watch their behavior....put them under the MHP a couple times (teaching them) and then watch what they do...if they wander in and out to eat and drink, they probably are doing fine....if you hear distress peeps, it may be too cold, if they refuse to go under (I doubt) too warm? Sounds a lot like Goldilocks!

But that is what more experienced folks than me have said, watch them, they will let you know what to do!!! Low is what I would try too...to start...

 

[poodlechicks]

Nice, I didn't have hardware cloth, that would have been a preference. I didn't have any issues with anyone getting stuck in the wire, but other have had issues. I also kept mine like a cave with the back up against the wall. Good luck, 16 should do just fine.

Thank you

 

[bruceha2000]

Thanks for the reply. Makes sense. We're first timers and a little nervous. We both work during the day so we are picking up the chicks after work tomorrow and then we're right back to work on Wednesday morning so not much time to observe. Trying to make sure all is well for the little ones.

After work? At a hatchery or "farm" store I hope. My wife is a postal clerk and has had to suffer a full day of peeping chicks twice. NOT a nice day. Fortunately for these people, we have had chicks and she watered them several times. Not exactly in the job description or union contract.

Im learning so much from these threads, thank you! I am new to chickens, so please forgive my ignorance. I ordered this heating pad for my chicks that will arrive tomorrow...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001AZLVG6/ref=ya_st_dp_summary

Will this work? It's a pet warmer- does that mean it has to feel pressure before getting hot? The description says it has a steady heat of about 80 degrees but goes to 105 (or something) when being used. If that's true, how do I arrange it so the chicks stay as warm as they need to? I'm planning to monitor them for about 24 hours in the house but then move them to their coop in our barn. It's getting to about 35-40 degrees at night here. Am I on the right track? Thank you for any insights!

IF it is a minimum of 80F when plugged in it might work. The chicks, even if they ALL sit on top, won't weigh enough to "start" the pad. If they haven't shipped it yet, I would cancel that order and get one of the recommended heating pads for humans. Either one that doesn't auto shut off or one you can override the auto shut off. I found mine quite useful several times this past winter and the last time I had new chicks was last June

One device, multiple uses. Saves money and space.

And then the little buff sleeping in my leg <3

Proving, yet again, that chicks need to be kept at a constant high temperature or they will die.

 

[TerryH]

After work? At a hatchery or "farm" store I hope. My wife is a postal clerk and has had to suffer a full day of peeping chicks twice. NOT a nice day. Fortunately for these people, we have had chicks and she watered them several times. Not exactly in the job description or union contract.

Yes. Chicks are local. We really did not want to have them shipped.

 

[bruceha2000]

It is great you can get them locally, most of us don't have that option. Besides having to be somewhat hard on the chicks, shipping cost is usually as much or more than the price of the chicks!

 

[AllynTal]

... Low is what I would try too...to start...

Okay. That makes me feel better to have a some corroboration. I know the chicks will let me know what they need once they get here, but I wanted to have it set as well as I could prior to their arrival -- you know, preheat the cave and all that. Distressed peeps on arrival, to me, would be saying, "You knew we were coming and this is the best you could do? HarRUMPH!" Have you ever been harrumphed by a chicken? It's a little embarrassing, actually.

 

[Blooie]

Any pips @Blooie ? Day 21, right? So so excited for you!! EEEk!

Nada. Nuffin'. No. <sigh>

Do they know when chicks aren't theirs? Like I have SLW, Wellies and Speckled Sussex in there, do Roos care that they aren't same breed?

Scout didn't know or care that they weren't his and that they weren't the same breed as him! The top picture shows him investigating the 3-4 week old chicks and the outdoor brooder the day we opened it up all the way. The bottom shot is Scout and Mathilda keeping an eye on them when they were enjoying a day outside. EVERY BIRD IS DIFFERENT - so this isn't a guarantee that yours won't react. But most of the time roos just sorta start showing the Littles where there is food, etc.

And grats on quitting smoking. I quit 20 years ago after smoking for 20 years. I still have moments when it would be nice to have a cigarette. The after-dinner cigarette was the one I missed the most. A trick I remembered doing right after I quit when I felt a little tense and really had the urge to light one up was to put two fingers to my lips spaced about the width of a cigarette apart and then suck air between my fingers like I was taking a deep drag. I'd do that a couple of times and the tension would mellow a bit. It might take my body a moment to realize, "Hey! There was no nicotine in that!" but by then, the emergency had passed.

Thanks. I ain't out of the woods yet by a long shot.....maybe never will be. But one heart attack was plenty.

Okay. That makes me feel better to have a some corroboration. I know the chicks will let me know what they need once they get here, but I wanted to have it set as well as I could prior to their arrival -- you know, preheat the cave and all that. Distressed peeps on arrival, to me, would be saying, "You knew we were coming and this is the best you could do? HarRUMPH!" Have you ever been harrumphed by a chicken? It's a little embarrassing, actually.

Distressed peeps on arrival could just mean, "What the heck happened???"

You got some real good advice on settings.....there are no true "target" temps so it's hard to say, "Set your heating pad so it's ____ degrees under there." Your chicks will let you know what they need. Indoors with your ambient temps I'd be tempted to start on medium and see how they do. It's easier to cool them down than warm tiny little chicks that have gotten deeply chilled.

 

[TerryH]

It is great you can get them locally, most of us don't have that option. Besides having to be somewhat hard on the chicks, shipping cost is usually as much or more than the price of the chicks!

Yes. We always try to deal locally if we can. I know it obviously works but we were never comfortable with sending chicks through the mail. It was also nice to be able to get the amount of the breeds that we wanted without dealing with any minimums. There will also be same age replacements available for a while if we have any issues.

Edit: also priceless to pick them up and have them safe at home in 30 minutes.

 

[WyoJax]

I'm so happy to say that this worried Mama is one proud Mama of her babies. We have made our transition from inside to garage with no issues whatsoever. And that's with snow on the first night out!! MHP is where it's at, these babies take care of their self and even my littlest baby is well taken care of by her bigger sisters. I'm almost wondering if she is going to catch up to them. Mini Gold Laced Wyn? Now I'm excited about getting this coop up and get them out into their home!!