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

[darttater]

1 month update. Every thing went well except I lost 1 chick on 2nd day and another on 3rd day. there are now 18 left. 9 red rangers, 5 barred rocks, and 4 brown egg layers. The chicks were out in the hoop house since day 1. They stopped using the pad after 3 weeks. They spend their days in pasture protected by a 165 square feet electric net which I move once every 2-3 weeks. I'm still trying to figure out how to not scare them easily. I can stand among them just fine, but they scatter if I do anything else. But I'm considering this as a success (knock on woods) as far as being 1st time raising chickens.

 

[Blooie]

I think it's more than a success!! Welcome to the Broody Brigade! I don't post here as often as I used to, simply because so many people are now using MHP and they have all become a wonderful source of information and encouragement. But I do read every post, and love the stories about how well it's worked out!

 

[bruceha2000]

I'm still trying to figure out how to not scare them easily. I can stand among them just fine, but they scatter if I do anything else.

Mine all scatter if I move other than fairly slowly. That includes everything from the 5 Y/O hens down to the 16 week old birds. They get especially nervous if they think they will get trapped in the small feed storage room in the barn. But if I just stop and wait, they calm right down and walk out. Same with if I start walking through the barn alley. If I don't push through they will all "part" and I go on my way.


And since Blooie said she reads every post:
my friend! I hope you are well. I gather there are some masonic trips in the near future.

 

[aart]

Mine all scatter if I move other than fairly slowly. That includes everything from the 5 Y/O hens down to the 16 week old birds. They get especially nervous if they think they will get trapped in the small feed storage room in the barn. But if I just stop and wait, they calm right down and walk out.

Ditto Dat^^^
Most birds are pretty nervous.

 

[Blooie]

Yep, starting today, Bruce. We went to Cheyenne Monday, came back Tuesday, and now have to turn around and go back to Cheyenne this morning for Wyoming Grand Lodge. Ken will be installed as Deputy Grand Master, serve in that position for a year, then the following Grand Lodge he'll be Grand Master. We get back from Cheyenne on Tuesday night, then in September it's a 3 day shindig in Gillette for York Rite Sessions. After that we'll be traveling the rest of the states, including a trip to Indianapolis, one to Salt Lake, and one to Washington, DC - actually two to DC because we have to go both his Deputy and his Grand Master years. So every time I buy shower stuff, any cosmetics or OTC meds, I buy two. One stays in the house, the other goes into the travel bag and stays there. I also keep hose, unmentionables, spare socks and stuff in the travel bag. That way when we leave, I just grab that bag, toss in my prescriptions, and we're out the door because it stays packed. All I have to pack up pretrip is our clothes and the cooler.

It's gonna be so funny not to have Kendra this year. I'll have her on Fridays because the kids have a half day but Jenny doesn't get off work until 1:30, so for that hour Kendra is all mine! And there are teacher meeting days when Jenny has to work because the lunch for staff is served by the school cafeteria and the kids don't have school. Oh, and if one of them is sick and can't go to school. But this year for the first time, Jen has a respite care worker who can take Kendra if Ken and I are gone, so babysitting now runs around my schedule, not the other way around.

See, I pay attention!

 

[perchie.girl]

so do I Blooie..... and

 

[bruceha2000]

That is going to be a big change not having Kendra very much. Sure you can handle it?

That respite worker will be key given all the travel you and Ken have.

traveling the rest of the states

But unfortunately not ALL of the other states. I'm pretty sure you aren't getting anywhere near NW Vermont.

 

[Kater_tot]

Just put everybody in and no one is heading for the cave
And two fell in the water, is it too big?
I don't want them to get cold

Ambient temp is 70, sunbeam heating pad on high

No one is heading for the food either

It's been 5 minutes and I'm already worried

 

[shawthorne44]

kater_tot, I am too new at this to have advice. But, they look so adorable!

 

[Kater_tot]

They are aooooo cute
Everyone is in the cave now ‍ But no peeping. Assuming they are resting from traveling.
Baby chicks are stressful!