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

[lpyrbby]

I was reading this and thought "that sounds just like my situation!". Turns out, we are neighbors - I'm just a few miles away in Jamestown. My chick's are only 11 days, and I plan on doing the same thing. They're cozy inside now, not even using MHP. They just pile up in the middle of the brooder. I want to get them outside, and put their crate w/MHP into the big run. Their first two nights were spent outside, but they got soaked during those thunderstorms, and I felt guilty and brought them in. Now I just need to get them back out, even though I sort of like having them inside I need to replace the towel with some thing like wool that they can't pull through the hardware cloth. Little freaks... I hope they remember how to use MHP when they go back outside.

Howdy neighbor! We looked at buying a home on 10 acres out there, actually. Financing would have been a bear though so we kept looking and landed in Holly Hill instead. We are probably gonna try to find some more land, maybe in pinopolis, at some point in the future. Four acres just isn't enough




I can make sure they have a dry spot and that the electrical stays dry as well. I'm not totally sure on how else to block off any additional wind though.

 

[aart]

Quote: The cardboard box will stop most of it, maybe put bale of hay or straw a foot or so in front of box...or maybe a few bales in an arc.

 

[lpyrbby]

The cardboard box will stop most of it, maybe put bale of hay or straw a foot or so in front of box...or maybe a few bales in an arc.

I'll check when I get home and see if one of the bales i have around the main coop will fit. It might take up a good chunk of real estate in that pen though. Im sure they'd have a blast with it though

 

[aart]

Quote: Oh, that's true, doh...was thinking of the other larger run.
Well, doesn't need to be a bale, just something that will block wind from going into the opening of the box if necessary. Poly yard signs, or cardboard, with some kind of stiff wire to stake it in place....you're creative, you'll figure something out.

 

[lpyrbby]

Oh, that's true, doh...was thinking of the other larger run.
Well, doesn't need to be a bale, just something that will block wind from going into the opening of the box if necessary. Poly yard signs, or cardboard, with some kind of stiff wire to stake it in place....you're creative, you'll figure something out.

Hopefully so! The bale is definitely going to be a bit large to put in there so I'll need to do something different. I kinda wish I had wire hangers because then I could fashion something from that and a feed bag

I suppose I'll be updating tomorrow once we get them out there and (assuming I leave them out there) my evening fretting

 

[MegC]

Hi,

My chicks will be 5 weeks old in a couple days. I've loved using the MHP for their heat source, and I'm so glad I came across this idea before purchasing a heat lamp. I'm new to chickens, so I'm still learning... How long do they need supplemental heat? They seem to have most of their feathers right now. Most of mine only have a little down left on their heads. The problem is that I'm having trouble keeping the heating pad cave structured for them... They're too heavy and seem to be intent on destroying the cave by jumping on it, scratching, and pecking at it until it's on the floor of the brooder again. I've tried making changes to the cave so it can hold their weight, but they're destroying it each time. I've had the heating pad set on level 2 for the past week or so. They're in my walk out basement now, and it's around +/-50 degrees when we have colder nights like last night. Do they still need it? Could I replace the heating pad with a heavy duty cardboard box for them to hang out in? Or should I try to keep the heating ad for a couple more weeks? Thanks for your ideas and advice!

 

[Blooie]

I think they'll be fine without it. I take mine off heat totally by about 4 weeks (depending on steady tempertures) and they never look back....and they're raised outdoors in Northern Wyoming and it's much colder than it is in your walkout! The key isn't to go by the weeks on a calendar as much as it is the amount of feathering they have and how they are acting, and if they aren't under it anymore and are beating it to a pulp you can probably assume they are done! A broody hen wouldn't be able to cover them all at this age, either. You could substitute the heating pad cave with a huddle box - a cardboard box open end down with a hole cut in the front for them to go in and out - and they may use that, but if they don't it's not the end of the world.....

Welcome to the Broody Brigade! You know your dues are photos of your chicks, right?

 

[daxigait]

@Blooie We have not seen you on the incubating thread for awhile.
I have a question. Will this pad work?

Sunbeam 732-500 King Size Heating Pad with UltraHeatTechnology

 

[daxigait]

@Blooie
Link found

 

[MegC]

I think they'll be fine without it.  I take mine off heat totally by about 4 weeks (depending on steady tempertures) and they never look back....and they're raised outdoors in Northern Wyoming and it's much colder than it is in your walkout!  The key isn't to go by the weeks on a calendar as much as it is the amount of feathering they have and how they are acting, and if they aren't under it anymore and are beating it to a pulp you can probably assume they are done!   A broody hen wouldn't be able to cover them all at this age, either. You could substitute the heating pad cave with a huddle box - a cardboard box open end down with a hole cut in the front for them to go in and out - and they may use that, but if they don't it's not the end of the world.....

Welcome to the Broody Brigade!  You know your dues are photos of your chicks, right?  

Thank you for the great advice! I'm really enjoying raising these 7 chicks. Backyardchickens.com has been an invaluable resource for a newbie!

That was their first time outside a couple weeks ago...

Here's our friendly barred rock today. So much fun!