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

[Blooie]

Just make sure it's low enough to touch their backs. I think you'll be surprised.

 

[chickieschicks]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one! Obviously by no means are we trying to fry an egg, but agreed that this heating pad would be totally useless for any kind of medical or muscular need. It's warmth can hardly be felt through a layer of clothing. But if it works for the chickies, that's all I care about...

 

[ImportTheBest]

Just make sure it's low enough to touch their backs.  I think you'll be surprised.  

Lol, okie dokie! I'll enlist the teenager's help tonight to create the frame for the MHP.

 

[chickieschicks]

I'll post the temperature reading when I get it.

 

[Nathan J]

I do realize that we're not trying to roast our babies but in a garage that is in the 30s and 40s I kind of expected it to be more snuggly warm than this.

Look back at my posts on this thread over just the last couple of days and you'll see that it's quite easy for it to be too hot. My brooder is in my garage, where it was in the 30s on Tuesday/Wednesday, and I had my heating pad on Hi at first and then on Med and still it was apparently too hot under there for them to stay under. Only when I turned it to Low did things get to "normal" operations. If it was as hot as you're expecting I would have never gotten there.

Just my 2 cents.

This is that heating pad I have, BTW: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FGDDI0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[chickieschicks]

Look back at my posts on this thread over just the last couple of days and you'll see that it's quite easy for it to be too hot. My brooder is in my garage, where it was in the 30s on Tuesday/Wednesday, and I had my heating pad on Hi at first and then on Med and still it was apparently too hot under there for them to stay under. Only when I turned it to Low did things get to "normal" operations. If it was as hot as you're expecting I would have never gotten there.

Just my 2 cents.

This is that heating pad I have, BTW: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FGDDI0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I do remember reading those posts...it's just impossible to know the temperature of yours in comparison to mine! Based on having ordered two different brands that felt the same to me and the fact that others have had similar opinions on the lack of heat, I think it's safe to say the temp. of the Sunbeam I have is what has worked for others and their chicks.

 

[Blooie]

And you know, a lot of MHP depends on the owner's comfort zone. There are certainly other brands and types of heating pads out there that would work just as well, as long they don't shut off automatically after a pre--set time or if that feature can be bypassed.

 

[ImportTheBest]

Okay so I have a temporary MHP setup done. Soon it will be improved but I figured better to get it in and have them get used it in there, and then I could tweak the system.

I also gave them a couple clods of grass with dirt, upside down and they are thoroughly enjoying all that they find in there!

I'll shut the light off as soon as I see them going in and out comfortably from under the MHP, but it may be tomorrow morning for my timid girls!

 

[junebuggena]

Shut off the light now. They won't seek out the warmth of the heating pad if you have a heat lamp on them.

 

[ChickNanny13]

The "problem" when first starting with MHP (Sunbeam 732-500) we expect it to be warm or get a temperature reading of what is said to be what the chicks need. Know I did

The whole concept is the chicks are under the MHP's warmth like being under a Hen, their backs are up against then hen/pad. I raise chicks in the house for a week or two; first week to keep an eye on them & the second week for my pleasure but after that they go outside in the brooder that I have in the patio. When I first used MHP started on HIGH but it was too warm, now I start on MED which it stays unless the days get warmer, I drop it to Low. At 2wks most are spending time on top & by 4wks, it's their huddle cave during the day & on Low at night if there's a chill....Living in Hawaii it's the heat, humidity & rain that can be a problem, and glad to say our predator problems are so great.

I've raised 3 broods of chicks under the MHP, the first was a learning experience but it's been GREAT & have been told the chicks are alot calmer and not so skittish

No light ever needed!