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

[chickieschicks]

Only 3 chicks, the one I ordered should be here by tomorrow or Monday the latest so I just need a temporary solution.

 

[chicken curious]

I've read almost 60 pages of this thread and come to the realization that I'll never read the whole thing! :O I learned so much and want to thank everyone who contributed their ideas to the original cave and posted pictures of what worked (and what didn't!). I've subscribed so I can see any new posts.

It's been a few years since I brooded chicks (my original batch) and between then and now I had a broody hen do it for me once so I had seen how much better she did! LOL

I saw this thread when my new chicks were only a few days old and I dug out a heating pad that won't shut off and got to constructing their cave. I upgraded their dog crate brooder in the garage with the cave instead of a heat lamp just in time to move them out of the little chick nursery (heat lamp) I had next to the incubator. They've taken to it really well! I did have to manually put them in last night because they were resting on top in a pile and I didn't think they'd find it after dark. I'll check again the next few nights, but they've been in and out all day so I don't foresee issues.

I have 11 chicks (although it looks like two more may hatch late and get added) that are layers, mostly large, but a couple may be bantam. Using all materials I had, I constructed the cave with a small heating pad, rebar mesh and a layer of 1/4" hardware cloth for the main frame, and an old towel wrapped in press and seal on top. The wrapped towel was too slick so I added an old kid's shirt not worthy of donation...the waffle weave provides plenty of traction for them plus some shavings and the front hangs down for the 'awning'.

I've included two pics of the cave in action. One shows a little leghorn peeking out and the next shows that same leghorn in the foreground. She ran super fast once she felt it was safe and she might miss hunting through the dirt...so cute!

 

[aart]

Wrote up my integrating chicks spiel...using an MHP of course.
Thought y'all might be interested:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old

 

[frenchiegirl21]

Here are my newest chicks peeping out from under the MHP! 3 silkies, 4 SLW, and 1 mutt I hatched. This is so much easier than using a heat lamp!

 

[aart]

How do they get under the MHP?

 

[aart]

When I checked my heating pad with a laser thermometer it was about 110F...
...that's not going to feel real warm on your hand when you just touch it.
When I use the pad on my back, even thru a tshirt it can get too hot after awhile.

Another note on the pad temp and laser thermometer....
Plugged in pad today and measured both sides,
the fuzzier darker colored side is cooler(110F) than the smoother lighter colored side...but only by about 8-10F.

I've always put the 'cooler' side down as it facilitated the cord routing.....
....chicks were always warm enough so it's not really a deal breaker IMO.

 

[Nathan J]

How do they get under the MHP?

I think you may be seeing it wrong. We're looking at the side. The front is to the left, with the chick's head poking out (in the first picture).

 

[aart]

Quote: Ohh ...DUH!
Yes, I was thinking the side was the front/entrance.....
....and saw your mention of the chick peeking out but just didn't look close enough.
Fingers running ahead of brain this afternoon...haha!

 

[chickieschicks]

We picked up our four little chickies today and they are in their dog crate-turned brooder and snuggled up under their MHP as we speak! Any advice on how to know if they are doing well? They are quiet and staying underneath so I'm assuming they're content.

Did everyone's chicks figure out how to make their way back under the MHP on their own fairly quickly? I've had to show them both times they've been out so far.

Also, the person who sold them to us said that occasionally a baby chick will die because it just happens after they've been through shipment etc., I know this is true but when would say you're in the clear? A week, a few days?

Thanks for everyone's kind help! We're loving our little fluffy chicks!

 

[ImportTheBest]

Don't overlook the possibility that they're too warm under MHP.  This is exactly what happened to me.  Some of them were staying under MHP but most were not (16 total).  Until I turned it down from Med to Low (after starting on High).  I couldn't believe that's what was needed in a cold garage, but it worked like a champ and all is well ever since then. 

Yes I'll definitely be keeping an eye on that, thank you! After that one time they sleep underneath the entire night long and didn't come out until I turned a regular light on (dark overcast day) and just about evicted them. Then the feeding and drinking frenzy started, lol! I'll definitely keep monitoring their behaviors as the temps go up and down and their heat needs change.