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

[Jensownzoo]

I just moved the chicks outside for the first time. They are one week old and I wanted to add more litter to their bedding.  The sun is finally out and we have reached an unheard of 44° so I figured it would be a good time.  MHP set on high, out into the driveway the box went.  Fresh bedding in, water changed and found an old cookie rack to put over the top since they have started looking up.  5 minutes later I thought I had poisoned them!  One of the chicks spread out a wing and fell over sideways with its head on the ground.  It stood up, walked 2 steps and did it again.  Over and over, what was happening!!!!!!  Maybe I hurt it when I was spreading the new bedding? Maybe it is not really pine but cedar and it is in distress!!!!!  Then it switched wings and did it again.  All the sudden I realized, it was enjoying the sun e I had not killed the little thing, rather made it so happy it was acting drunk.  I have moved the feeder to the top of MHP for the next hour in order to give them as much of a sun pool to wallow in as possible.  

Awesome isn't it? Mine will be all puffed up and hunkered down, but they still like being in the sun rather than being under MHP if they can. The silkies are the ones who I catch going under it in the daytime, which makes sense. Just kicked a batch of bantam cochins and Polish outside today and they're having a ball!

 

[TerryH]

The babies are home!!! We had to make a small change and only ended up with 10 but that's all good. 3 - Buff Orpingtons, 3 - Black Astrolorps, 3 - Black Copper Marans, 1 - Blue Cooper Maran. Everyone seems healthy and happy. Took a couple of times of poking them in the MHP but they all figured it out. Everybody is huddled under there and quiet at the moment.

One of the buffs...

Black Austrolorp

Blue Copper Maran. Marans came from a different hatchery and I think they were kinda cold. Straight to the MHP and stayed for quite a while. They all popped out and ran all over after a little while.

Black Copper Maran

Group photo in the MHP.

 

[mobius]

Abso-LUTE-ly adorable! And great pics!! Nice collection you have there...so glad they are doing well...

 

[poodlechicks]

TerryH how cute!!! Mine are supposed to arrive tomorrow. I am officially a nervous wreck

 

[MesMama]

@bruceha2000 LOL! Yes, it makes me laugh now every time I read the chick/heat lamp protocol, I'm like dudes! It can be so much easier and safer!!!

@Blooie Excellent to hear that about Scout! I think I just have that preconceived idea that roosters are mean (even though mine is amazing and gentle) and so it's stuck in my head This puts my mind at ease, so thank you!

 

[tenman78]

My 10 California White chicks only huddled under the heat pad for a week, now they sit on top and cuddle,so I laid the pad out flat,happy lil birds.

 

[aart]

My 10 California White chicks only huddled under the heat pad for a week, now they sit on top and cuddle,so I laid the pad out flat,happy lil birds.

Did you get as day olds?
Inside or out?

 

[tenman78]

Did you get as day olds?
Inside or out?

Yep,day olds. Inside for right now, I had to solve my problem with an injured hen i had to put down and the over aggressive mating rooster that did it, I did find the roo a new home.so I'm preparing to put them out this weekend.

 

[aart]

Chicks are 2 week old today... a few are a couple days younger...raised pad up.
I like having them(and their noise, stink, dust) outside.....but.....I don't handle them as much and they do NOT like to be picked up.
Couple of them really fight it....maybe partially because they are sprouting feathers.
They are going to be very unhappy tomorrow as all will be caught, confined to a tote, then re-banded and released.......gonna be a Chickie Rodeo!

 

[tenman78]

Chicks are 2 week old today... a few are a couple days younger...raised pad up.
I like having them(and their noise, stink, dust) outside.....but.....I don't handle them as much and they do NOT like to be picked up.
Couple of them really fight it....maybe partially because they are sprouting feathers.
They are going to be very unhappy tomorrow as all will be caught, confined to a tote, then re-banded and released.......gonna be a Chickie Rodeo!

I use a fish landing net to catch my chickens,forget all that running!