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

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WyoJax said:
@TerryH your pictures of your sweet Mama and fuzzy babies just warms my cold heart!!
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Thanks. I just got off the phone with her. Now she wants her own chickens.
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I am so happy to see new names popping in, and glad that MHP is working well for you. My friend @Ridgerunner reminded me that this isn't really a new idea - it's a version of the big hovers that used to be used for large scale operations - well, still are for that matter. I never even thought of that!! But that's what it is...just on a very small, backyard chicken owner's scale!

Now, you know that we need some dues paid here......hint hint!!!
 
lazy gardener said:
No, she no longer has one.

poodlechicks, Where is your MHP, and what do you have under it for bedding?  If there's not much under it for bedding, your temp reading may reflect that fact.  Put in a nice layer of shavings, or what ever you intend to use.  That will help hold and trap some heat.  You'll do fine!!!!
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Thanks lazy gardener! I got them 2 hours ago. 1 DOA and another barely making it.
I have pine shavings under the MHP and they all have their backs against it. Because of the one I had to rescue, I just shoved the rest under the MHP w/o even counting them. Some of them came out after a while and I taught them to eat and drink. Some others are still warming up. They are so quiet now that I don't want to disturb the peace. The only one chirping non stop is the rescue under the heat lamp. I'll keep her under for a little while longer till she's less wobbly and more active.
 
Moxiechick said:
After reading this thread, I decided to try this method for my chicks, who just arrived this morning! I had the heating pad on all last night so it would be nice and toasty for them when they arrived. I was a little concerned yesterday, as the thermometer placed inside the cave barely registered around 80, but then I decided to see what the temp would be for a baby chick, who would be closer to the pad than the substrate. So I folded a glove, and placed it inside the cave towards the back with a thermometer on top, and when I checked it a little while later, it registered a perfect 95. :)
I only got to spend a little time with the chicks this morning before heading to work. I dunked their little beaks in the water, showed them the food, then placed each one in the cave. They stayed huddled in there for a little while, (who can blame them after such a long trip in a box!) so I went and took my shower. When I came back to check on them before leaving, they were gathered around the food and water, and seemed quite happy. I'll continue to monitor them and hope this method works as well for my little ones as it has for everyone here that's tried it.
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Good thinking. Hot air rises. Although I never use a thermometer myself I think using one for someone starting out can be a confidence booster, but like any tool it has to be used correctly. You did and you alerted others on here about it. :thumbsup
 
aart said:
Remember: the MHP isn't intended to heat the air inside the 'cave', but give the chicks a warm surface to touch their backs against to warm them.
Some radiant heating will occur, but don't bother measuring it except out of curiosity. 
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Thanks, aaart! I was looking for your post to quote along w lazy gardeners, but couldn't do both
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I'm not measuring the temp anymore. They seem so contented there!
 

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