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

[Blooie]

Blooie, I still have one of my very first chicks, an eight-year old light Brahma. Lady Di laid her last egg at age six, but she's still top of the pecking order and still kicks @$$ when necessary to maintain order. I have two seven-year old Wyandottes still laying regularly, as well as three six-year olds. They're a geriatric crew, but they still pull their own weight.

Of course, I get new chicks at least every other year so they keep the egg factory going strong. But this is why I've had to add on to the coops and run on a regular basis. Chickens at my place have a secure retirement plan.

Looks like that's the way I'm heading too!

I almost ran down the street after the truck to get Dumb Daphne the Flock Complainer back. <sigh> It's supposed to be so easy when you read about it, you know?

 

[azygous]

The longer you have chickens around, the worse it gets, too. The buggers really grow on you.

 

[Blooie]

Yep. Oh, well......it's all my fault for falling into the trap of Chicken Math, which I always kinda snorted at other people for doing. Now look at me...incubator, chicks, favorite girls.... this is BAAAADDD!!!

 

[azygous]

And all in record time, too, Blooie! You been at this what, not even two years?

 

[Blooie]

Yep, February of 2014... my my, how things have changed since then!

 

[windtryst]

Mama Heating Pad solves several problems in a brooder, so I am in love with this concept! I hate the cumbersome heat lamp, always worrying about something coming into contact with the bulb and causing a fire, and Mama Heating Pad also solves the problem of blocking out light during the night time hours so the chicks aren't subjected to so much light-caused stress.

If the chicks feather out sooner, say closer to three weeks than six, it will also solve the problem of the chicks needing to be inside for so many weeks.

I see this idea catching on like wildfire. How long before someone mass produces "Chick Cave"?

I buy these rabbit huts at the local feed store, I think they would make a great base for a "cave" my bantams love them.

 

[OEF5]

Let us know how the seed mat works out for you...we've had people wonder but some first hand advice would always be welcome. I have to be candid and tell you that I still worry about the glass and the window, plus the heat and their own body heat, but I'm always willing to learn too!

@jrjoplin Good job! And I'll bet there will be a next time, right?

Ok first observations of this method.

The probe that measures the heat for the seed mat is on the bottom of the aquarium about 2-3 inches of open air away from the seed mat. However that being said I figure if it's reading and holding at anywhere from 82-90 then it's warmer near the mat and the chicks are happy!!!

So here is the day that our chicks had, hatched, shipped, set in a shop for half a day with people coming and going in a tote with about 40 other chicks, the wife picks our six chicks, a 45 minute truck drive home, into this big glass case, scope it out, poop, eat, drink, poop. At about 7pm the wife kinda pushed them under the MHP so they would know what it was, none of them came out! The slept in there for 12 hours and I was a bit worried they were cold, at about 0630 the wife said "no they are all peeping louder now" were all out running around at about 0645.

One thing we did not foresee was that our two cats would seriously try to jump up and get them, but yea, as soon as they came out both cats hit the glass jumping!




So for today I'm going to call this a success! Our chicks got a great night sleep, they got up with the light of day, stayed warm and are enjoying being in the house so far!

 

[lazy gardener]

Can't imagine those huts would survive a rabbit's teeth for long! I only have one original member of my flock. She's the only hen with a name. "Hola" was the first gal hatched, a black sex link. She's a gorgeous jet black girl, I don't think she's laid an egg this season, but was an awesome layer in her day. She is a moon walker when it's cold, or she's physically stressed. I'm culling some of the older/problem birds to a family who can use the nutrition... hoping to do so this weekend. Was planning to send Hola... but... now, not so sure. What's just one extra mouth to feed for nostalgia sake???? Wish she'd go broody. That would ensure her a retirement home for sure! Any one heard of a retired layer going broody? Some how, I don't imagine it would happen, since it's hormone driven.

 

[lazy gardener]

Sounds like your seed mat is a success... in the house. If you keep them inside for a couple of weeks, by that time, they'll not need as much heat, and perhaps the seed mat would keep up with their needs then, outside also. One thing I like about the seed mat (I've never owned one) is the fact that it's a durable plastic, and therefore poop proof. I used my MHP to great advantage to start my seedlings. As I recall, I had asparagus sprouted in 9 days. It's supposed to take 2 - 6 weeks to sprout. Peppers and tomatoes were up in record time with MHP as well! Win/win/win!!!

 

[aart]

Quote: Agrees...sensible way to use a thermometer with an MHP. Observation will be key.
Might want to put a thermometer as other places in the Aq to makes sure it doesn't get too hot inside....block sun from window if necessary.
Sturdy mesh top would go far to insure adequate ventilation.....and keep cats out.

Please do keep us updated on this, I don't think anyone's used a seed mat and followed up.
I played with one briefly, but didn't think it would be warm enough....but your enclosed space could make a difference.