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

[bruceha2000]

That's what makes heating pad brooding such a departure from conventional heat lamp brooding. You want the place you're brooding to be as cool as possible, outdoors even. The only warm spot is directly under the heating pad. And it's not supposed to be 95* inside the cave. That's not how it works. You're not trying to heat up the whole inside. It's the direct contact with the pad, mimicking snuggling up against a broody hen, that warms the chicks.

Right. Take the thermometers out and stick the back of your hand against the pad inside the cave. That is what the chicks will be doing to warm up. And a pile of little birds is pretty warm all by itself.

Quote:
We had summer last week, it hit 71. Snowing now.

Here is what I rigged up for the littles side of the coop to keep the adults out of their side, seems to have done the trick.

Maybe the bigs can't get into the littles' area but the littles sure look interested in the big girls' side!

 

[circlehouse]

So it's been below or close to freezing almost every night since we got the chicks almost two weeks ago. Our MHP is still set on six, they all use it every night and pop in and out during the day. Should I wait until they don't want to use it to turn it down? They are feathering out nicely.... Snowstorm today. Have gotten at least 4 inches so far.

 

[poodlechicks]

It's my first time ever using the MHP and the advice I got here is to watch the behavior. If they feel comfortable w the highest setting, so be it. I have mine in a well ventilated basement w windows. The temp there is around 60 and my chicks are 2 weeks old. They still prefer the highest setting (6) at night. I have been able to lower it to 5 during the day, but if I go any lower, I hear complaints

 

[circlehouse]

It's my first time ever using the MHP and the advice I got here is to watch the behavior. If they feel comfortable w the highest setting, so be it. I have mine in a well ventilated basement w windows. The temp there is around 60 and my chicks are 2 weeks old. They still prefer the highest setting (6) at night. I have been able to lower it to 5 during the day, but if I go any lower, I hear complaints

Thanks, that makes me feel better! Guess everyone who is talking about turning it down so fast are brooding inside or in a much warmer area than me!

 

[poodlechicks]

You're welcome!

 

[Sallys Mom]

Being in south Florida the coldest my home will get is maybe 75 at night. I've got the heating pad set on 2 and am getting temps inside the cave at 93-96 degress. Do I leave it at 2, or do I bump it down to 1? It's 84 deg in that room right now. The rest of the house is 80 deg. This is my first time raising baby chicks. They will be here Fri or Saturday from Meyer. There are only 3 coming.

 

[jrjoplin]

You just have to take the variables your given and decide where your chicks are comfortable. I turned mine down pretty fast but my brooder was in an enclosed garage with temperatures in the 70s and 80s. My chicks are also all large breeds, at 4 weeks they're outside in the tractor and the MHP will be removed in a few days. If we were in a colder climate and had smaller chicks I'm sure they'd still be in the brooder huddled up under the heating pad.

 

[junebuggena]

Thanks, that makes me feel better! Guess everyone who is talking about turning it down so fast are brooding inside or in a much warmer area than me!

More than likely. I brood mine in an unfinished room next to the garage. The concrete floor keeps the room at a near constant 50*. I shut the pad off completely by 3.5 weeks. They are outside by 4 weeks.

 

[beautifulpirate]

I know its off subject, but scary weather is heading into our neck of the woods. Prayers and good vibes are appreciated.

I'm positive the chicken coop is safer than our mobile home. So they are getting locked in for the night and I am heading to my moms with the littles. Last year, we had the roof of our apartment fly not even five feet over our heads as I struggled to carry my littles to safety. I cannot wait to get our storm shelter installed...

And back on subject, I may be doing chicken math since it turns out four of our six are cockerels. So MHP is gonna get pulled back out soon lol. At least the temps are decent so they may not be under it much at all.

 

[Jensownzoo]

I know its off subject, but scary weather is heading into our neck of the woods. Prayers and good vibes are appreciated.

I'm positive the chicken coop is safer than our mobile home. So they are getting locked in for the night and I am heading to my moms with the littles. Last year, we had the roof of our apartment fly not even five feet over our heads as I struggled to carry my littles to safety. I cannot wait to get our storm shelter installed...

And back on subject, I may be doing chicken math since it turns out four of our six are cockerels. So MHP is gonna get pulled back out soon lol. At least the temps are decent so they may not be under it much at all.

I hear you. I got out to the place where I keep my outdoor chicks (the ones old enough to be out of the home brooder) just as storm #1 hit. Got to sit in my van while it poured and hailed. But it meant that I was able to check up on and feed everybody once it slacked off. Not to mention remove the lake of water from the roof tarp in the littler chick pen! Storm #2 will hit tonight/tomorrow. I love storms, but they are definitely scarier when you have critters outside!