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

[Jensownzoo]

I did something completely different this time since it's been so warm. I got a random assortment of chicks to replace some of the ones I lost in the massacre. I've got them divided into three guinea pig cages (using those cool waterers from gun dog supply) and I simply bungied the heating pad to the inside of one of the short sides. When the chicks need warmth, they just go up to the heating pad wall and lean into the warmth. There is room enough for them all to have a spot, so no one gets squished. Added bonus is that I can see each and every one of them all the time without lifting up a MHP. Plus, no poop to constantly scrape off the top of MHP.

They're two weeks old now, but feathering very very slowly with the temps in the building in the 80s. I'll probably kick them outside to the grow-out pen when they're fist-sized...it's going to get in the 100s out there this week (ugh).

 

[plynneb]

Went out to look in on them when I woke up and let the dogs out at 5:30a All little fluffy butts were under the mhp

I am excited this works so well.

The bigger chicks who hate being handled also let me pet them while they were roosting, not a bad deal! I may have to go out at pre dawn light more often, lol

 

[feralhound]

Fixed the problem- secured the heating pad under the rack. Tried with some binder clips I picked up this morning after work, turns out they were too small, but luckily I had one large clip lying around and a couple small spare bungee cords (I secured the open end of my chicken wire around the little pool with the small bungee cords for easy access to enter near ground level instead of above) to secure it. No stuck heads for these chicks!
When I put my hand on top I still feel the heat up above, it isn't as intense now as I had to add an extra towel fold but maybe that's a good thing.

 

[bruceha2000]

Yes...the beauty of this shelf is that each shelf is easy to move. As soon as the girls can fly up, I plan to enclose the second shelf. Just too many other priorities at the moment.

They can fly up 2 feet at 2 weeks. Obviously they fly earlier too. You might need to put some paper towels on that shelf until you have the time to make an excluder of some sort or otherwise modify it.

 

[amenfarm]

I just used the momma pad for the first time on 24 chicks-for 2 weeks in this heat, they did quite well. We prefer it over the heat lamp now. our little ones did quite well, the wire we used is the smaller sized hardware cloth, didn't know stuck heads was an issue. Are the chicks scraping their heads? or getting stuck into the holes in the wire?
On a side note I wrapped the heating pad in press and seal, covered the towel in press and seal, then used rubber maid shelf liner-black-folded in half, and the poop came off great with the hose!

 

[aart]

I just used the momma pad for the first time on 24 chicks-for 2 weeks in this heat, they did quite well. We prefer it over the heat lamp now. our little ones did quite well, the wire we used is the smaller sized hardware cloth, didn't know stuck heads was an issue. Are the chicks scraping their heads? or getting stuck into the holes in the wire?
On a side note I wrapped the heating pad in press and seal, covered the towel in press and seal, then used rubber maid shelf liner-black-folded in half, and the poop came off great with the hose!

1/2" or 1/4" hardeare cloth holding up the pad should not bring 'stuck head syndrome' into play......
.....some of the racks and larger wire used they can push their heads up thru and get stuck.

 

[amenfarm]

Thanks Aart, I asked my husband not to make it out of the horse fencing we had because it looked like they could get their heads through-he agreed.

 

[mypolitedog]

The chicks are now 11 days old. Temps are in the mid to high 90's during the day and upper 60's overnight. I've been keeping MHP turned on all the time (currently at 4). There is poop on the top towel so at least one chick has been up there at some point.

Last night, I didn't get out to the coop until after dark and everyone was huddled in the space next to the MHP under the shelf, not in the MHP nor on top of the MHP. I decided to leave them be, they will figure it out...

This morning I got to the coop after sunrise, and 14 of the 16 were out in the coop milling about (I had to count twice!), and found the last two behind the MHP, between it and the framed wall...

No one is worse for it, though, since once I spied them, they both came out to greet me...smh

Should I put them underneath tonight? Or let them figure out what they need on their own? The last choice is my natural inclination.

 

[bruceha2000]

Quote:
The other sad stories of a chick getting stuck is if they get between the pad and the support. They squirm in but can't back out. That is why it is important to make sure the pad is tight to the frame all around. And why enclosing the entire frame and pad in an old pillowcase makes that easier.

The chicks are now 11 days old. Temps are in the mid to high 90's during the day and upper 60's overnight. I've been keeping MHP turned on all the time (currently at 4). There is poop on the top towel so at least one chick has been up there at some point.

Last night, I didn't get out to the coop until after dark and everyone was huddled in the space next to the MHP under the shelf, not in the MHP nor on top of the MHP. I decided to leave them be, they will figure it out...

This morning I got to the coop after sunrise, and 14 of the 16 were out in the coop milling about (I had to count twice!), and found the last two behind the MHP, between it and the framed wall...

No one is worse for it, though, since once I spied them, they both came out to greet me...smh

Should I put them underneath tonight? Or let them figure out what they need on their own? The last choice is my natural inclination.

It is likely too hot if they aren't going under, either during the day or at night. I would turn it down a notch or two and see if they go in tonight.

 

[mypolitedog]

The other sad stories of a chick getting stuck is if they get between the pad and the support. They squirm in but can't back out. That is why it is important to make sure the pad is tight to the frame all around. And why enclosing the entire frame and pad in an old pillowcase makes that easier.


It is likely too hot if they aren't going under, either during the day or at night. I would turn it down a notch or two and see if they go in tonight.

I turned down to 3 this morning, and when I walked in just now, every one of the chicks were on top of the brooder! Thanks!