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

[smallmonster]

Two little chicky butts, one new friend, and everyone exploring earlier this afternoon!

It's 6pm and within the last half hour they've all gone under the MHP and are mostly quiet. Occasionally one will come out to drink or eat or peck at the stick.

Thanks to all of you for your help! They snoozed outside the MHP most of the afternoon, I'm thinking it was too hot because it was so sunny? Anyway. They are content now and I may turn it down during the day tomorrow.

It's great to be able to watch/listen and figure out what they need.

Even if I did have to lie to the guy at Agway... I could tell he wouldn't approve.

 

[chickieschicks]

Paying my dues with some pics of my happy chicks using their MHP in their dog-kennel turned brooder. Right now it's suspended with chains and secured so it won't move but I think we'll change it over to stand on bolts as it will be easier to adjust and I keep getting nervous a little wing might get stuck around the chain or something!

What are everyone's opinions on what types of sticks/grass etc. can be added for their entertainment as well as any treats etc?

 

[smallmonster]

My chicks slept through the night! My kids don't even do that at 1 and 3 years old. Sheesh.

It's cold and not sunny, so they're spending the morning (so far) in and out of the MHP. I loved having a silent night with no peeps! From what I read, that isn't the norm for a lamp.

They're in our kitchen which has a big overhead light, but they happily went to bed before me last night due to the dark under the MHP.

 

[junebuggena]

Paying my dues with some pics of my happy chicks using their MHP in their dog-kennel turned brooder. Right now it's suspended with chains and secured so it won't move but I think we'll change it over to stand on bolts as it will be easier to adjust and I keep getting nervous a little wing might get stuck around the chain or something!







What are everyone's opinions on what types of sticks/grass etc. can be added for their entertainment as well as any treats etc?

Branches with a diameter of at least 2 inches so they can practice their roosting skills and a chunk of sod with the dirt and roots intact. Treats can be given but remember that their crops are tiny, so a little bit goes a long way. Anything that is safe for an adult bird is fine for chicks. Don't forget to sprinkle grit on treats.

 

[Giggles73]

What does the outside temp need to be at night and during the day for these girls to move outside? I live in Utah and our temps are still getting down to mid 30's at night and anywhere from mid 40's to upper 60's during the day. Although today is damp. I'd have to run an extension cord about 50-75 ft to use the MHP still.

 

[Nathan J]

From what I read, that isn't the norm for a lamp.

Go figure. It's amazing the kind of nonsense people can be talked into believing against their own common sense.

Try telling these people (staunch heat lamp advocates) that they should keep a light shining on their baby at night and it won't affect them and their development at all. See what they say to that. I'm sure that something like, "well, chickens are different" will come forth. But that's a completely baseless point that is only meant to rationalize their position and clear the cognitive dissonance.

 

[junebuggena]

What does the outside temp need to be at night and during the day for these girls to move outside? I live in Utah and our temps are still getting down to mid 30's at night and anywhere from mid 40's to upper 60's during the day. Although today is damp. I'd have to run an extension cord about 50-75 ft to use the MHP still.

Once feathered, temperature is no longer much of a threat as long as they can access shelter that protects from wind.

 

[casportpony]

Paying my dues with some pics of my happy chicks using their MHP in their dog-kennel turned brooder. Right now it's suspended with chains and secured so it won't move but I think we'll change it over to stand on bolts as it will be easier to adjust and I keep getting nervous a little wing might get stuck around the chain or something!







What are everyone's opinions on what types of sticks/grass etc. can be added for their entertainment as well as any treats etc?

 

[Blooie]

Go figure. It's amazing the kind of nonsense people can be talked into believing against their own common sense.

Try telling these people (staunch heat lamp advocates) that they should keep a light shining on their baby at night and it won't affect them and their development at all. See what they say to that. I'm sure that something like, "well, chickens are different" will come forth. But that's a completely baseless point that is only meant to rationalize their position and clear the cognitive dissonance.

Whoa...down Trigger!

Heat lamps do have their place, even though that's NOT at my place. Very large batches of chicks would be almost impossible to raise under MHP unless they were split into groups and each group had their own brooder. You can make the setup bigger to accommodate like 30 or something, as @Fire Ant Farm did, but those of us who believe so strongly in this system have to be careful that we don't become as militantly pushy about MHP as others are about lamps. We can show, explain, and use it exclusively ourselves, but after that we just have to let them do what they prefer without judgement.

Personally I'm on a crusade to get folks to look at alternatives....coop and house fires are so unnecessary and I think MHP is so much healthier for the chicks. But I try (not always successfully, I readily admit) to present what I have learned just to give another option. What they choose to do with the information after that is up to them, and arguing the point is counterproductive. (That's what my brain says...I wish someone would explain it to my fingers sometimes!) While I'm so happy that you are a MHP fan, remember that in the beginning you were a little uncertain too. Every one of us on this thread had little doubts when we started doing this. It's a huge leap of faith to expect folks to disregard years and generations of "care instructions for chicks" and let them self-regulate. We need to respect that, but oh, so often I find myself in a feed store watching people select their chicks and then putting the box of fluffs in the cart alongside the heat lamps and the worthless waterers, although not long ago that was me. I want to grab them and say, "DON'T do that".

Okay, off the soapbox.

 

[Giggles73]

Once feathered, temperature is no longer much of a threat as long as they can access shelter that protects from wind.
[/quote]
Is it terrible that I am terrified they won't be warm enough? I guess I need to think of them as outside animals than "baby chicks". They are pretty much feathered out, they tried to fly out of their indoor habitat yesterday, one was semi successful.