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

[debid]

 deb!  I was just going to mention my DH works part time (he's "retired") at a True Value and they sell wire by the foot. Call and check with your local store.

There ya go! I also remember the scraps at Lowe's and HomeDepot if anyone has had wire shelving cut there recently.

 

[lazy gardener]

I am using hardware cloth for the frames and it is very sharp where it was cut, so I put duct tape on it. I'm afraid it will stick to the chicks and possibly hurt them. Any suggestions?

I do tape the edges of my frames, but then the frames and HP are enclosed in a pillow case that I sewed to fit the pad/frame, so there are no sticky OR sharp edges to contend with. I then use painter's tape to wrap around the pillow case in several locations to keep the pillow case from billowing down and possibly catching a chick. I find that the painters tape sticks nicely to the fabric, and does not come loose during the entire use period, but when it's time to disassemble, it does not leave any sticky residue.

@debid yes. I agree use what you have. I've been in my shed, basement, garage racking my brain and ransacking my place trying to come up with something to use. Nothing. So I'm out to buy some welded wire. Any suggestions?

For those of you using the smaller pad, I wonder if one of those rectangular wire office in/out baskets would be the right size.

 

[Molpet]

Where would be best to ask about introducing chicks that have been adjacent to the big birds but not necessarily *in* with the big birds? Short story - they're 8 weeks old now, off the heat, separated by fencing and their pen, and one of the big birds has already tried to drag the a-hole chick into the run with them to teach his rude arse a lesson when I let the chicks out of their pen.

I'd like input from people that do introductions when the chicks are younger than "near full size". I'm okay with taking this to another thread. Ideas?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...rooder-and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/aggressive-baby-chicks-and-how-to-stop-the-behavior

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I do tape the edges of my frames, but then the frames and HP are enclosed in a pillow case that I sewed to fit the pad/frame, so there are no sticky OR sharp edges to contend with. I then use painter's tape to wrap around the pillow case in several locations to keep the pillow case from billowing down and possibly catching a chick. I find that the painters tape sticks nicely to the fabric, and does not come loose during the entire use period, but when it's time to disassemble, it does not leave any sticky residue.

For those of you using the smaller pad, I wonder if one of those rectangular wire office in/out baskets would be the right size.

I would guess those are about 8.5x11 like a sheet of paper, but the pad is 12x15.

 

[casportpony]

How about using something like this for the edges of the wire? Google "sheet metal edging"

http://www.directmetals.com/dm/products/expanded-metal/expanded-metal-u-edging.html

http://www.directindustry.com/prod/caplugs/product-11859-31825.html

http://www.metalmart.biz/u-edge/



http://www.hellermanntyton.co.uk/site/products/grommets/sm1/800-00004



https://www.amazon.com/Black-large-height-0-656-Height-0-178/dp/B00BFWUZ2K

 

[aart]

How about using something like this for the edges of the wire? Google "sheet metal edging"

Links please?
To all...I deleted most the photos in the quote just because it makes sense..don't need to see them ALL again.

 

[perchie.girl]

Not @casportpony but I know you can find it in hardware stores.

but here is a link on amazon

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=u+edging

I have used it many times on sheet metal enclosures. if I were to use it in this case I would apply it with zip ties to keep it from working back off.

Another way to protect the edge if you dont have access is to split garden hose slip it over the edge and zip tie it on... any plastic tubing that has an interior diameter larger than the diameter of the wire would work.

deb

 

[The Golden Egg5]

I do tape the edges of my frames, but then the frames and HP are enclosed in a pillow case that I sewed to fit the pad/frame, so there are no sticky OR sharp edges to contend with.  I then use painter's tape to wrap around the pillow case in several locations to keep the pillow case from billowing down and possibly catching a chick.  I find that the painters tape sticks nicely to the fabric, and does not come loose during the entire use period, but when it's time to disassemble, it does not leave any sticky residue.  

For those of you using the smaller pad, I wonder if one of those rectangular wire office in/out baskets would be the right size.

I was thinking about using painters tape because my family and I are remodeling a house and we have a bunch left over, but I was afraid that it would not be sticky enough and hurt the chicks. I have not had chicks before, so I am a extra cautious mamma lol. how many times have you used it? Have you ever noticed it starting to come loose from the fabric? Thank you!

 

[lazy gardener]

I think I've been using it for 3 years. (possibly 2, I loose track of time.) The one time I didn't use it, I used electrical tape b/c that's what I use to secure the connection of the cord to the pad. It was a huge mistake, cause the E-tape did not stick to the fabric well, resulting in some spots where chicks could get stuck in the tape. I found that while it didn't stick to fabric well, it stuck to chicks extremely well. Thankfully, I found the missing chick. Ever read the story of Br'eer Rabbit and Tar Baby? well that chick re-enacted the whole story. So, I'd say that painter's tape is great for taping the fabric (I use cotton sheeting) over the whole assembly.

 

[The Golden Egg5]

I think I've been using it for 3 years.  (possibly 2, I loose track of time.)  The one time I didn't use it, I used electrical tape b/c that's what I use to secure the connection of the cord to the pad.  It was a huge mistake, cause the E-tape did not stick to the fabric well, resulting in some spots where chicks could get stuck in the tape.  I found that while it didn't stick to fabric well, it stuck to chicks extremely well.  Thankfully, I found the missing chick.  Ever read the story of Br'eer Rabbit and Tar Baby?  well that chick re-enacted the whole story.  So, I'd say that painter's tape is great for taping the fabric (I use cotton sheeting) over the whole assembly.  

Wow okay sounds pretty reliable to me! Aw lol poor chick! I am glad you found him or it might not have ended well I have not read that before but I can imagine! Thank you! I think I will give it a whirl!