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

[snow5164]

I placed my brinsea chick heater at the door of my cave with a space for them to escape at each side and front and back , laid a towel over the whole thing and 40 chicks have plenty of room to run in and out all the exits !!! It became a game about two minutes after setting up " the addition" some ran on top some threw the doors .... chicks make me so happy

Pics of this setu, please?.....am intrigued!

Oh shoot I've taken it down as they are too big and don't need heat anymore.
Ok so take your mama cave frame and face it towards the small (20) brinsea heater , I draped a towel over the whole 3 1/2 feet . This allowed all 40 chicks a cozy spot !!you use what you've got!! I am Mennonite after all we are known to be cheap cheap cheap

 

[casportpony]

Quote: Cute chicks and nice MHP!

 

[Blooie]

OK, so the drape in front isn't all that important. I can easily put a diaper or two inside the cover instead of outside and then there won't be anywhere for them to get stuck in between. It still serves as a bit of insulation on top of the fencing. I'm absolutely cracking up that toddler prefold diapers are exactly the right size for this...

Actually if you can find a way to form that awning, the chicks do seem to like that sensation of ducking under into the warmth, but you're right, it's not essential. I always have that awning, especially since I brood outdoors and it's still pretty cold here in spring - like in the twenties, dipping into the teens at times.

 

[debid]

Actually if you can find a way to form that awning, the chicks do seem to like that sensation of ducking under into the warmth, but you're right, it's not essential. I always have that awning, especially since I brood outdoors and it's still pretty cold here in spring - like in the twenties, dipping into the teens at times.

It will be outdoors but we haven't had normal weather at all which was actually why I started this. It's difficult to warm the little brooder with a lamp without it being too warm when the temp swings from 28 to 70 and back again.

So, what to do? Perhaps put the draped cover over as originally planned but attach it at the perimeter so they can't get between the cover and the structure?

 

[daxigait]

Would someone tell me the front and back heights they used for their mhp frame? I know it is in the thread somewhere, but I am making mine today and don't remember.
Thanks!

 

[debid]

Would someone tell me the front and back heights they used for their mhp frame? I know it is in the thread somewhere, but I am making mine today and don't remember.
Thanks!

It needs to be able to change as the chicks grow. I eyeballed it based on memory of previous chick size but it can easily be adjusted if I'm off. It's about 4" of clearance in front at center then sloped on 3 sides like a cave.

 

[daxigait]

Thanks, that is about what I thought.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

WooHoo, my heating pad arrived today!!!! Still have a couple of weeks before we'll be bringing home this year's batch of fuzzbutts - but am SO looking forward to brooding them this year as I'll be brooding in the coop with the MHP!

 

[casportpony]

Would someone tell me the front and back heights they used for their mhp frame? I know it is in the thread somewhere, but I am making mine today and don't remember.
Thanks!

WooHoo, my heating pad arrived today!!!! Still have a couple of weeks before we'll be bringing home this year's batch of fuzzbutts - but am SO looking forward to brooding them this year as I'll be brooding in the coop with the MHP!

Will either of you be taking pictures of them?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Will either of you be taking pictures of them?

You know it!