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

[ShrekDawg]

Also loveeee seeing all the chickies

 

[Faraday40]

Haven't been on this thread for a week & behind about 800 posts.

This was my 1st try with the MHP & I like it,. All the extra chicks were sold, so we're down to 7, 4 wk old chicks. I can't tell gender, so until that day comes, we have 7 newbies to add to the coop. I set up an old rabbit age inside the coop (for protection from hens) & made a smaller 12'x15" MHP. I moved the chicks this morning to the new cage, but none are on or under the new MHP. The weather is nice in the sun, but should I worry about them finding it tonight? If it were summer, I wouldn't worry, but we get temp fluctuations. It will probably drop to the low 40s tonight but could still go below freezing this time of year.

I had to move them because new chicks started hatching last night & I wanted to use the big brooder with MHP for the hatchlings. ...... That's how much I loved it!

 

[Jensownzoo]

So tempted to pick up bantams at TSC and my mom almost agreed lmfao even the clerk said to use the small coop for more chickens

Anyone know what breed the "bantams" are though? If my mom approves it, I may as well get a breed I like. And I would love silkies but I know at TSC that is not likely. But they're only $2.99 and the other breeds are $1.99 but of course the minimum is 6 there. But they also just got a new shipment in since the last time we went earlier this week. And the old bantams are still there, in a separate bin, 8 of em, with little wing feathers already. 8 of my LF girls BARELY fit in our 3x3 (I think) TSC coop kit and are getting a new 4x8 coop we are building now (on a 6x8 base, for nest boxes and storage) but maybe 8 little bantams could fit? Of course it could be better for just a few, maybe 4. But with the minimum being 6 and the older babies still there, I don't wanna leave 2 poor lonely little things there and wanna rescue them all. Onr get some younger ones too, I don't know. But anyone know what breed? Probably varies by store but ours ALL appear the same breed, same exact color. Not quite as yellow as the Cornish X's but maybe creamy whitish? Not really white, creamy yellowy whitey type thing? Black beak.

My TSCs got Silkies. One store had all white and one store had all buff...no other breeds available. You can always go take a pic and post it here for ID before purchase.

 

[ShrekDawg]

My TSCs got Silkies. One store had all white and one store had all buff...no other breeds available. You can always go take a pic and post it here for ID before purchase.

Wow really? Maybe that's what it was then. I think I saw someone get some other breed so thought maybe they didn't have them. Maybe they're just not that good quality? That's a good idea to take pictures though. I may go back tomorrow and do that! Or find a breeder?

 

[Jensownzoo]

Wow really? Maybe that's what it was then. I think I saw someone get some other breed so thought maybe they didn't have them. Maybe they're just not that good quality? That's a good idea to take pictures though. I may go back tomorrow and do that! Or find a breeder?

If they had black skin and five toes, they'd be Silkies. I got six of the white...I think they're 5 weeks old now? Maybe four. And I think I got five roos, but time will tell...

A different farm store had a mixed batch of bantams, so I picked out all the feather-legged ones. Ended up with a lot of colors of cochins (what I wanted) and mille fleur d'Uccles. I got one black Silkie, one blue Silkie, and a few white faced Spanish bantams from elsewhere. Lots of roos thanks to straight runs. I can keep a few, but not all.

 

[ShrekDawg]

If they had black skin and five toes, they'd be Silkies. I got six of the white...I think they're 5 weeks old now? Maybe four. And I think I got five roos, but time will tell...

A different farm store had a mixed batch of bantams, so I picked out all the feather-legged ones. Ended up with a lot of colors of cochins (what I wanted) and mille fleur d'Uccles. I got one black Silkie, one blue Silkie, and a few white faced Spanish bantams from elsewhere. Lots of roos thanks to straight runs. I can keep a few, but not all.

I bet that's what they were!! Most other chicks don't have black beaks right?

And oh wow, that's a good assortment!!! I just checked and 2 local feed stores are getting silkies and bantams in later this spring so I may need to go back.. hard to resist lol

 

[salsss]

I was thinking of using of half of a clay garden pot as a frame? It would be more open at the front...

 

[lazy gardener]

I was thinking of using of half of a clay garden pot as a frame? It would be more open at the front...

That would thwart the intended use of the MHP. You want the chicks to be able to access the heat from both above and below. Also, the "more open front" would not do as well holding in the heat and creating the dark environment that they are looking for. I'm guessing that the pot would also be too high in the middle, and not at all adjustable the way a wire frame is. Just my opinion, I'm wondering what Blooie might have to say about the pot.

 

[poodlechicks]

Glad to hear things in your tomato cage MHP are going well, it is such a drastic change from "The Lamp", but darn near as good as a broody.

Sorry my multi-quote button is gone

Thanks! Things are going great w the MHP, but I had to use the heat lamp w a weakling who was barely alive. Some of the chicks got here in poor shape. The one struggling even has a curled toe. I'm leaving that toe alone for now as she gets stressed out after a feeding.
The others are doing very well. They are still feeling very cozy w the heating pad at 6. They are in the basement w the temp around 60.
Am I the only one who has the HP at 6 on day 2? Just curious, not the least bit concerned

BTW, what's the breed of your avatar? I got 2 chicks just like that.

 

[GardenNut]

This pic is beyond adorable!

X2!