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

[Blooie]

I'm sure the bucket works just fine, and for crying out loud if something is working keep it going!! I just worry when the heat is that far from the chicks, since they warm by very close contact, even having their backs touching the pad. I don't know how I missed that post......sometimes this thread moves so fast that I admit I skim, then go back later and read more thoroughly. I know, I know...

Baaaad Blooie. I might add some bedding to get it closer to them, but as I said, if ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[The Golden Egg5]

Is it normal for all the chicks to be huddled up in the lowest corner of the MHP?

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Is it normal for all the chicks to be huddled up in the lowest corner of the MHP?

That sounds like they are too cold. What is the ambient temperature where they are?
I would lower it so that the chicks can press their backs against more of it - this methods heats mostly by contact.

Here is my MHP when it was too high:


Here I fixed it.


- Ant Farm

 

[The Golden Egg5]

That sounds like they are too cold. What is the ambient temperature where they are? I would lower it so that the chicks can press their backs against more of it - this methods heats mostly by contact. Here is my MHP when it was too high: Here I fixed it. - Ant Farm

It is so low in the lowest Part that they have to crouch down to crawl under. I lowered it because I was afraid they were cold. They still huddle down in the corner, but not nearly as much as they did yesterday. The heating pad is at the highest setting and it feels pretty warm under, but I don't know the exact temperature. But they could have just been afraid, because I brought them home yesterday.

 

[debid]

It is so low in the lowest Part that they have to crouch down to crawl under. I lowered it because I was afraid they were cold. They still huddle down in the corner, but not nearly as much as they did yesterday. The heating pad is at the highest setting and it feels pretty warm under, but I don't know the exact temperature. But they could have just been afraid, because I brought them home yesterday.

They're social animals and will sleep in a little group. If they are in one level, not on top of each other, it's a chick raft -- a snuggle fest. That's normal. If they're climbing on each other trying to get higher up, they're cold.

 

[Blooie]

Remember too that they may have been chilled from the ride home, and this is all new to them. Chicks huddle for security as much as for warmth. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to figure out the difference. <sigh> Not always an easy task.

If your brooder is in the house, the highest setting might actually end up being too warm. I know, they're huddling in the lowest corner, but if you can take @Fire Ant Farm photo to heart, I'd try to even out the pad so the height difference from front to back isn't too steep and most of the pad is at back level. I don't know (or remember) what pad you have but if it's the one with the digital control, for inside the house 5 should be fine. I'd worry about them getting too deep into a corner and the front ones keeping the back ones from getting out to cool off. You've got this! The learning curve isn't as sharp as with a heat lamp - always lowering and raising it and no place for chicks to cool off - so do what you know makes common sense....small adjustments the first day or so aren't unusual no matter what you use for brooding. By the end of today, I'll wager you have energetic chicks who have figured out exactly where they are and where "mom" is and you'll be sitting with your feet up sipping glass of wine!

 

[The Golden Egg5]

Okay thank you! I think they are just having a snuggle party back in the back lol. I was just wondering, but when can I put a plug of sod in their brooder along with a dust bath? I don't want them to get sick because of it.

 

[aart]

Okay thank you! I think they are just having a snuggle party back in the back lol. I was just wondering, but when can I put a plug of sod in their brooder along with a dust bath? I don't want them to get sick because of it.

Once they are eating drinking pooping and active.
They can be pretty 'lazy' the first day and sleep alot.

 

[stacyh40]

Quote:
Which store is this in Billings going this week might have to check it out just don't tell the hubby

 

[The Golden Egg5]

Once they are eating drinking pooping and active.
They can be pretty 'lazy' the first day and sleep alot.

Okay thank you! Mine are still a little in that phase, but they are perking up very quickly!