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

[NNYchick]

Do you leave a dim light on for the chicks at night? I know hens don’t let them wander around coop eating at night but brooder chicks don’t hane mama taking them to get food and water during day and encouraging them to fill crop at dusk. I’m torn.

 

[bruceha2000]

Do you leave a dim light on for the chicks at night? I know hens don’t let them wander around coop eating at night but brooder chicks don’t hane mama taking them to get food and water during day and encouraging them to fill crop at dusk. I’m torn.

No.

They are asleep at night BECAUSE it is dark. They don't need to go eat and drink at night. Leave a light on and they may be up when they should be asleep. Chickens rise and roost based on the amount of light.

I've not had a chick that couldn't figure out where the food and water is once they have been introduced to it and they would probably find it on their own anyway; chickens are very inquisitive creatures. They will eat and drink when they need to. They seem to know what they need and when they need it. For example when they get closer to laying age, you want a container of oyster shell available (I find separate from the feeder is better than mixed in). They will not touch it until they are close to laying, then they will dig in as they feel the need. They'll not touch it when they are moulting because they don't need the extra calcium but will start back into it before they return to laying.

First babies are nerve wracking but even though they are just a few days old, they know more than you do about their needs Just make sure they have their cave to warm up in, no way to get stuck in anything, clean food and water available. They will be fine.

BTW, I find that elevating the food and water a bit helps keep the shavings out of them. Even just placing them on a piece of 2x6 after they are big enough to hop up the 1.5" (which isn't long) helps. Though they have no mama to show them how to scratch, they'll be flinging shavings everywhere at just a few days old.

 

[bruceha2000]

Ok, I have the DW convinced we need more chickens because we had to buy eggs at the supermarket today. Planning on getting 6 this spring, I’m not sure what breeds yet. I have almost convinced her that the Mama Heating Pad will work instead of a heat lamp. We’ve never had little ones, the girls we have now were about 3 or 4 months old when we got them.

My shed coop has a walled off area for storage, I could use the side beside the door to the chicken area if needed. Measured it today, it’s about 3’ x 5 1/2’. Would that be big enough for a broody box for them? Like I said, I’m not sure what breeds I will have, or how many will be bantams or full size.

Thanks!

Have DH read some of this thread
How big is the interior of the coop itself? It helps with integration to have the chicks brooded in sight of the older chickens. If possible make the brooder area inside by partitioning off a section of the floor. You can use many things for the walls. I made a 2 sided thing with wood and 1/2" hardware cloth that is screwed into the corner of the stall. The top is 2x4 welded wire fence on a wood frame. It is ~18"x4'. I have a 10x12 stall converted to a coop, the brooder space could be smaller. I made it that size because it encompasses the old chicken door (replaced on the other side of the people door with an auto door) so I can let them out into the barn alley separately from the older girls.

 

[NNYchick]

Ok tonight I will shut the nightlight off. I have seen them all out and eating now. I’m not using shavings yet I have the quilted top cotton pads that hospitals use under patients, I had bought some when my kids were babies to put in basset, car seat. I shake them outside and throw in washer. Working good now that the chicks are only a few days old but not sure for how long. When do you have to use shavings? I was hoping not to have to use them till I move the whole brooder out to coop in a few weeks. I have shavings and not opposed to using them if needed.

 

[bruceha2000]

You don't HAVE to use shavings at all, some don't. You have a different method of making sure the brooder floor isn't covered with chick poop or spilled water. Seems like it works well and you already have the pads. No extra cost is the best option of all!

 

[PetesChicks]

Have DH read some of this thread
How big is the interior of the coop itself? It helps with integration to have the chicks brooded in sight of the older chickens. If possible make the brooder area inside by partitioning off a section of the floor. You can use many things for the walls. I made a 2 sided thing with wood and 1/2" hardware cloth that is screwed into the corner of the stall. The top is 2x4 welded wire fence on a wood frame. It is ~18"x4'. I have a 10x12 stall converted to a coop, the brooder space could be smaller. I made it that size because it encompasses the old chicken door (replaced on the other side of the people door with an auto door) so I can let them out into the barn alley separately from the older girls.

I'm the DH, it's the DW that I have to convince.

The coop part of the shed is about 11x10. I don't want to take space away from that for the brooder if I can help it. If I move the food and water, there would only be a 1x8 blocking them, and the 2x4 welded wire wall. Do you think I should start them in the house, or right in the coop?

 

[moniquem]

This convo is so helpful as I will be here in a matter of months.....

 

[Molpet]

I'm the DH, it's the DW that I have to convince.

The coop part of the shed is about 11x10. I don't want to take space away from that for the brooder if I can help it. If I move the food and water, there would only be a 1x8 blocking them, and the 2x4 welded wire wall. Do you think I should start them in the house, or right in the coop?

they can get thru the 2x4 for about 6 weeks ... or 2" for about 4 weeks.. hardware cloth or solid is what I ended up using... even cardboard works

 

[Blooie]

I stuck an old dog exercise pen out there - one I'd used from my dog showing days. I cut openings on two sides and fitted them with portal doors, ala @azygous. Before that I'd just been propping one side open far enough that the chicks could get in but the Bigs couldn't follow. The only problem I had with that was that the little stinkers ain't the brightest crayons in the box - they'd panic and run almost the entire length of the brooder, just about make it to the door, then panic and run the other way. Not good. They also had a big log out there that was hollow, cut in half lengthwise, then put cut side down so they could escape under there but the Bigs couldn't reach them. The portal doors made all the difference, though. Because they were framed with wood, the chicks could easily see them. I could open them for short periods of time, then when they were ready I'd leave them open all day, shutting them just at night. By 4 weeks old they were mingling well with the others, off all heat, and I could take the brooder right back out. I didn't have the room in there for putting something more permanent in - this way I only cut down on available space in there for a short period of time.

The first two photos show the doors in action...we just used a bit of old siding and put a hook on it to hold it open. The bottom photos shows the framing of the portal before the door was added. In my case, a temporary set up was the way to go. When brooding is over, I just fold up the x-pen and tuck it away for next time.

 

[bruceha2000]

@Blooie's chicks are clearly smarter than mine, they had trouble finding the portal, ran right past it in a panic. All the time.

Seems like if the "walls" were made of 2x4 wire, the chicks would have an entire wall of portals. Now the question is: in the absence of a protective hen, would the littles get in trouble going in the main part of the coop with the bigs? I guess one could block off the lower part of the walls with something made of smaller wire for the first week or two.

I'm the DH, it's the DW that I have to convince.

Oops, I have to learn to read more thoroughly. Ask her if she is comfortable with the higher risk of fire with heat lamps Especially out in a coop where you won't notice it starting until it is way too late to save the coop or birds. Send a PM and I'll PM back my phone number. She can call and lose an ear while I extol the many virtues of the MHP

@Blooie didn't respond to the question of starting them in the house but I know she keeps them there for a couple of days to make sure they are all eating, drinking, strong. I did the same thing.

How many chickens do you currently have? A 10x11 coop surely has enough floor space for a temporary brooder in the corner unless you already have more chickens than you should for your coop and you shouldn't be getting more chicks anyway .

This picture shows mine, the coop is 10x12, barely bigger than yours and held 11 adult hens when I got the chicks last year. As you can see at 18"x48" there is plenty of space for the chicks. It would still be big enough at 18"x36":