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

[Blooie]

Start here, about halfway down the page.....great photos and posts about how to set up the MHP with the pad underneath. And welcome to the Broody Brigade!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update/450

 

[aart]

Start here, about halfway down the page.....great photos and posts about how to set up the MHP with the pad underneath. And welcome to the Broody Brigade!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update/450

And here's a flatter approach:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate


Another way to browse this thread a bit more quickly is to look thru the images,
on lap/desk top it's up on the top of the right sidebar.

 

[kross78]

I am a long time lurker and joined just to sing the praises of the MHP. I have absolutely loved it and my chickies do, too. I fully utilized the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid.) I used 2×3 wire, the basic Sunbeam heat pad, 4 small bungees, a towel and Press and Seal. The top layer is towel, then wire, heat pad, all held with bungee and press and seal on top. I pushed down the wire so they could push their backs against "momma." My 14 "girls" have LOVED it and I haven't lost a single one. They are cozy and happy and growing great.

And burning off their toes? Pure hooey! I vote it was just another grumpy troll.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

And here's a flatter approach:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate


Another way to browse this thread a bit more quickly is to look thru the images,
on lap/desk top it's up on the top of the right sidebar.

That's faster but still not fast!

I did that the other day to try to find the cookie rack pictures from a week ago and wow "picture heavy" is an understatement since you have to start oldest to newest!

 

[Victoria-nola]

Pad over the frame is definitely simpler. I keep the "day care" brooder that way. It's just temporary anyway because it's only in use in the house until the chicks know how to eat, drink, and duck under MHP, or if one is stressed from a rough hatch or shipping. In the outdoor brooder where they head right after that first 24 hours or so, I did switch to the pad underneath. I read the stories of trapped chicks and since I'm not out there a lot I wouldn't know for some time if a suicidal chick had managed to get stuck, so it made sense. Neither is "right" or "wrong" - just what works!

Just to say, I like pad under the wire because then what the chicks feel is the soft warmth, not wire.

 

[chickieschicks]

Just to say, I like pad under the wire because then what the chicks feel is the soft warmth, not wire.

*UPDATE* I found it, please ignore

Can someone kindly post a link to a picture and description of the pad under the wire method? Is that the one where bungey cords are used? Do you then still wrap the pad in the press n seal and what do you put over the top?

 

[chickieschicks]

Yes, they have used other pads.  The critical thing is that 2 hour (or sometimes less) shut-off.  Any pad that doesn't do that or that has a setting to "Stay On" that you can select will be fine for the most part.

It's been an ongoing issue with Amazon's Sunbeam heating pad listing don't always show the correct reviews and/or the product decriptions for the pads pictured.  Makes it hard on us when we absolutely have to have that feature.  Before you mail order and wait for one, check your nearest Walgreens or Walmart.  Many of us have picked up our heating pads there.  I got my big one from Amazon with the link I have previously provided but I had no trouble finding them at Walmart (after the fact, of course) and that's where I bought my first one, the small one.  Just look at the boxes carefully and watch that for auto shut off.  The pad doesn't even have to have the digitlal controller!  Good luck!

Thank you so much for your reply! We're getting our chicks this week so I'm trying to get everything situated in the brooder. I had already placed the order for the heating pad and it arrived today. I'm going to turn it on and see how it does. I'm thinking it will be just fine.

 

[chickieschicks]

Start here, about halfway down the page.....great photos and posts about how to set up the MHP with the pad underneath.  And welcome to the Broody Brigade!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update/450

I just saw this, pleaae ignore my previous post

 

[Victoria-nola]

Quote:

Hi. Here is what I wrote about it recently, fyi, might just be a rehash, wrote it without referring to existing:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ooder-picture-heavy-update/8770#post_18169446

 

[Merrymouse]

And here's a flatter approach:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate


Another way to browse this thread a bit more quickly is to look thru the images,
on lap/desk top it's up on the top of the right sidebar.

Where is the "picture" finding thingy, this is the second time I've seen you reference it and I have yet to find it