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

[aart]

Thanks for all the feedback and reassurance. I also realized I forgot some important information...when I said the tractor would be in the coop, I actually meant in the run. Our entire coop/run area is predator-proof and the big girls sleep outside in the run right now (they moved out there at some point when the weather got hot - I'm in GA - and I've let them stay there figuring they'll go back in when it gets cold) as we never close the pop door, so I sometimes think of the entire thing as the "coop".

It would be tough to fit the tractor in the actual enclosed henhouse part without it being under a roost and I would hate to see what would happen if the big girls DID decide to go back in now that the weather's getting colder. The tractor's about 2x2.5' and 2.5' tall and we only have 2 chicks. It's just a wood frame wrapped on all sides except bottom with chicken wire. This is the coop we built, with some minor mods (not my pic):



I will get a pic of our actual coop with the tractor later.

How many existing birds?
How big is that coop part...about 3' x 3'?

 

[azygous]

Hey all!

My MHP is chugging along nicely and the chicks are almost 3 weeks old. We were out of town for a while and we had one chick go a bit droopy for a few days so we kept them inside longer than expected, but are now ready to move them out. I know a lot of you brood your chicks outside and/or in the coop, so I have some questions about that:

It's around 50 at night here. Someone reassure me they won't be too cold (I know they won't). They weren't going under MHP anymore at all indoors (60-70) and were sleeping on top of it even on low. I'll turn it back to high outside until I see how they're doing.

We've had them outdoors in the tractor setup we made during the day while the big girls free range. The plan is to put the tractor inside the coop with MHP, food, water etc inside. My husband made it with chicken wire which has been ok when they have tons of space but the chicks can certainly stick their heads through if they want to (they haven't, really, after the first day.) Should I line the bottom with hardware cloth seeing as they'll be in tighter quarters with the bigs? I'm nervous about them getting pecked.

When did you start letting your chicks mingle with a panic door? I am really nervous about integration. Our barred rock is kind of a bully.

By all means wrap the bottom of your tractor with small mesh! You don't want to experience the heartbreak of a scalped chick after getting nailed by an adult beak! They will stick their little heads through poultry mesh.

After a week of letting the chicks and the adults become acquainted, you can open up the portals from the tractor into the rest of the run. The chicks will be observing the adults during this week, learning their temperaments, and they'll know who they can trust and who they need to flee.

Space is a crucial factor in integration. The larger the run, the better, but you can increase the space factor by supplying plenty of higher perches in the run so the chicks can hop up above the fray when they need some peace. Keep their food and water inside the tractor as adults want to chase chicks away from the feeders.

At three weeks, your chicks will do just fine with the heating pad on the middle setting at night and off during the day. Make sure you've raised the frame to accommodate their increased size.

 

[saraem]

How many existing birds?
How big is that coop part...about 3' x 3'?

The henhouse part is 3x5 (3' tall).

We'll have 4 chickens total when these chicks mature (2 big girls and 2 chicks currently).

 

[Blooie]

I am not sure if you have been getting your coffee lately.
Good morning!!

You just MADE my day!!!! I feel much better now!

 

[Blooie]

Hey, guess what guys? We're famous! I finally got around to checking my PMs this morning - I know, I know.....I should check them every day but I don't - and a nice lady was thanking us for MHP. Guess where she found out about it? On Pinterest! I don't do Pinterest....no clue how and too busy with the rest of my life to add another web addiction to my list...but it's nice to know that the Broody Brigade is making a difference for chick owners who are looking for a more broody way to raise chicks!

Okay, off to respond to her PM and to the other 4 that I haven't read yet. Carry on......

 

[Molpet]

Hey, guess what guys? We're famous! I finally got around to checking my PMs this morning - I know, I know.....I should check them every day but I don't - and a nice lady was thanking us for MHP. Guess where she found out about it? On Pinterest! I don't do Pinterest....no clue how and too busy with the rest of my life to add another web addiction to my list...but it's nice to know that the Broody Brigade is making a difference for chick owners who are looking for a more broody way to raise chicks!

Okay, off to respond to her PM and to the other 4 that I haven't read yet. Carry on......

 

[TexasLisa]

Hey, guess what guys? We're famous! I finally got around to checking my PMs this morning - I know, I know.....I should check them every day but I don't - and a nice lady was thanking us for MHP. Guess where she found out about it? On Pinterest! I don't do Pinterest....no clue how and too busy with the rest of my life to add another web addiction to my list...but it's nice to know that the Broody Brigade is making a difference for chick owners who are looking for a more broody way to raise chicks!

Okay, off to respond to her PM and to the other 4 that I haven't read yet. Carry on......

Way to go Blooie! I LOVE Pinterest. You have hit the BIG times!

(P.S. You need to check it out. You get great ideas on any/everything.)

 

[saraem]

One more question about brooding in the coop: do you just feed everyone an all-flock feed?

Right now I'm fermenting New Country Organics Starter for the babes and Layer for the bigs. Guessing when I open the panic doors the best bet is just to put everyone on the same thing...they only make Starter, Grower, and Layer, though. Is it ok to feed the big girls Grower as long as I have oyster shell available (which I do?)

Thanks!

 

[junebuggena]

The only feed that isn't safe for all ages, stages, and genders is layer. Layer is for actively laying birds only, due to the high levels of calcium. Starter and grower are fine for everybody to eat. You just need to have some crushed oyster shell available for those that need it.

 

[Blooie]

Yup!