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

[aart]

Yep, typical and wonderful!

WOW!!

 

[tenman78]

Well my chicks are 4 weeks old and have put the MHP behind them, now just a huddle hut and are partially integrated.

Just the top of the pecking order Rode Island hen runs and nips them a bit, so they pop into their safe place till she gets bored.

 

[Blooie]

Well my chicks are 4 weeks old and have put the MHP behind them, now just a huddle hut and are partially integrated.

Just the top of the pecking order Rode Island hen runs and nips them a bit, so they pop into their safe place till she gets bored.

Fantastic! So, tell me....pretty stress free way to raise 'em, wouldn't you say?

WOW!!

And that one, Mathilda, (also known as "the Cossack") ain't even the prettiest one!! That honor - in my humble opinion - belongs to one of our two smooth faced EEs, PearlyGirl. There was something about her coloration, her eyeglasses and her tail carriage that I just loved, and I keep looking at EEs and getting more just looking for that look again. Haven't seen it yet.







PearlyGirl

 

[tenman78]

Fantastic! So, tell me....pretty stress free way to raise 'em, wouldn't you say?


And that one, Mathilda, (also known as "the Cossack") ain't even the prettiest one!! That honor - in my humble opinion - belongs to one of our two smooth faced EEs, PearlyGirl. There was something about her coloration, her eyeglasses and her tail carriage that I just loved, and I keep looking at EEs and getting more just looking for that look again. Haven't seen it yet.







PearlyGirl

Very stress free,never brooding any other way again!

 

[aart]

Quote: Likes Mathilda the best....course it's hard to truly pick a favorite, they all have their beauty.

 

[saraem]

At 2 weeks, do you think a "cave" is even necessary for my one younger chick, or should I just lay the HP on the floor for her to sleep on? I wonder if she will even go in a cave since she's not used to it??

 

[Blooie]

At 2 weeks, do you think a "cave" is even necessary for my one younger chick, or should I just lay the HP on the floor for her to sleep on? I wonder if she will even go in a cave since she's not used to it??

Try it both ways. I'd be willing to bet she'd be just as content to sit on it during the day, but at night they do like that cozy "in the cave" feeling.

 

[Spinning Carrie]

My chicks are three weeks old today and doing fantastically! I switched out the cover on the MHP this evening and the chicks revolted! They didn't want to go near it. I had to get DH to put them under while I blocked the entrance. Finally one started making the satisfied happy little chirp and the rest decided it wasn't a beast that would eat them.
Carrie

 

[lazy gardener]

At 2 weeks, do you think a "cave" is even necessary for my one younger chick, or should I just lay the HP on the floor for her to sleep on? I wonder if she will even go in a cave since she's not used to it??

If I was faced with your situation, I'd do this: Fold that pad so that 1/3 of it folds over to make a mini cave, and there'd be 1/3 sticking out in front, on the floor, like a little porch. She could sit on it on the floor, snuggle into the little mini cave, or sit on top of the mini cave. She'd have 3 choices for her ultimate warming pleasure, in addition to sheltering under the older chick's wing. I bet you got an upcoming broody in that older chick. You'd still need a wire frame of sorts if you did the MHP fold over.

My chicks are three weeks old today and doing fantastically! I switched out the MHP this evening and the chicks revolted! They didn't want to go near it. I had to get DH to put them under while I blocked the entrance. Finally one started making the satisfied happy little chirp and the rest decided it wasn't a beast that would eat them.
Carrie

They are such lemmings.

 

[aart]

At 2 weeks, do you think a "cave" is even necessary for my one younger chick, or should I just lay the HP on the floor for her to sleep on? I wonder if she will even go in a cave since she's not used to it??

Have seen heating pads used on the floor several times...once it was set partially inside a box that was on it's side.
Can depend on ambient temps...go by behavior of chicks.
And see quote below how to 'acclimate' or 'train' them to an overhead MHP.

My chicks are three weeks old today and doing fantastically! I switched out the MHP this evening and the chicks revolted! They didn't want to go near it. I had to get DH to put them under while I blocked the entrance. Finally one started making the satisfied happy little chirp and the rest decided it wasn't a beast that would eat them.
Carrie