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

[junebuggena]

So, if in the daytime they spread out under the pad (when they're under there...) but at night they huddle, does it mean it's too high? At the front of the pad my tallest girl's back just touches the pad, the youngers don't. At night, however, they huddle toward the back. It's been in the 50s at night and their brooder is outdoors. Should it be lower still?

Chicks huddle at night for a sense of security. It's just normal behavior for young birds. I've got 12 week olds out in the coop that still huddle in a pile rather than roost

 

[aart]

So we've talked about switching chicks from lamp to MHP...
...but I have a few under a lamp separated out to give to a buddy.
(only have one MHP set up...space is too small for one anyway)
A couple are NOT happy out in the light.
The chirping is driving me mad!
I may have to mark them somehow, band them, and stick them back under for the night.
Geezzz!

OBTW...welcome back 'home' to all who spent time over at BYH learning the new software.
For those who did not...hang in there, keep playing and find the help threads.....you'll finger it out.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

You can't really tell, but this is my first "grandchick" picture.....little peeper peeking out from under a MHP. DD picked up 6 babies last week, straight from the hatchery, I'd be in SO much trouble if I lived that close to a hatchery, lol.

 

[aart]

So we've talked about switching chicks from lamp to MHP...
...but I have a few under a lamp separated out to give to a buddy.
(only have one MHP set up...space is too small for one anyway)
A couple are NOT happy out in the light.
The chirping is driving me mad!
I may have to mark them somehow, band them, and stick them back under for the night.
Geezzz!

OBTW...welcome back 'home' to all who spent time over at BYH learning the new software.
For those who did not...hang in there, keep playing and find the help threads.....you'll finger it out.

Lamp chicks finally calmed down (they are gone today)....and a couple new older chicks got under the MHP no prob, never had to show them-they musta just followed their flock.

 

[Blooie]

Nice to have the site back, ain't it? @aart looks like your problem resolved itself! OGM, I love it when they just peak out... Your dues are paid!!

 

[aart]

Nice to have the site back, ain't it? @aart looks like your problem resolved itself!

I've been over at BYH, but yeah for sure better here...glad I got that BYH practice in tho.
Was more venting than asking advice

 

[Blooie]

Yeah, I figured you'd been at this chicken thing long enough that I didn't figure you needed any help. I lost one of my chicks Sunday night, right after we got back from South Dakota, to a gang of hens and I'm not happy about it, but it's an issue that's more just venting than asking for help.

 

[aart]

Gratuitous Dues Pic...chicks chillin' (or rather warmin') under the HP.
Looks like I raised the back a little too high when adjusting...easy fix.

I have one tiny Marans that is distress calling far too often, not sure it's eating/drinking.
Did use a qtip next to beak to hydrate it yesterday and saw it poop later, but.....
....think it might have been from a pullet egg. Time will tell..sigh.

 

[Blooie]

Oh, they look so snuggley!! And gratuities happily accepted!

 

[dpenning]

I'm so glad we are back! I had a bit of a challenge with my quail babies and MHP, all my fault! I started out with the same setup I used for my chicks just smooshed down but I had 32 out of 50 hatch so I needed more space. I tried to create a flat late with legs in the front and the back slanted down to the floor. When I woke u the first morning I had 6 or seven babies out on the floor cold and not moving! I think having it slant down to the floor was not working so I plugged In the heat lamp and turned my porch into a red light district for the night. The next day I knew I had to gfigure this out so I cut a
Piece of cattle panel about the same size as the MHP and sandwiched it between the heating pad and a kitchen towel and stitched it together tacking it down in various places. Then I cut some scrap wood to rest it on flat just at back level.

They love it!