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

[Ol Grey Mare]

Chicks are almost three weeks now, and really feathering in....adjusted the mhp height again, they just grow so darn fast.
Gave them access to main coop and run today with the big girls out in the yard. No one for brave enough to go the the run, but they sure had fun running and flapping in the "big wide world" of the coop. Will start integrating next weekend, plan to try to squeeze in some mite time like today throughout the week provided the weather cooperates for locking the big girls out into the yard

 

[pkgal21]

My 6 girls are almost 3 weeks and have started sitting on top of the pad. Most recently have been huddled up at nigh outside the pad. I've made the space larger as well as turned the heat down. They still prefer to be cuddled in a corner. Is it time to get them outside with more space and continue the MHP out there?

Pic for reference and cuteness. Yes, I have a nanny cam for my chicks. Lol

 

[Blooie]

I’ve had a rough evening over on another web site, mostly due to my own overtiredness - not asking pertinent questions or not reading posts correctly and giving stupid answers because of it. I could have saved myself a dozen or so posts if I had been more alert, and saved those folks who were asking the questions an eye-glazing and probably frustrating experience. I looked like I was just stumbling around and not knowing a doggone thing about MHP or chick behavior. <sigh> I actually felt thick and stupid.

Then I came here to check in and read posts like the last ones I just read and my spirits lifted. @Hufflefluff, @Ol Grey Mare , and @pkgal21 - thank you for saying (and showing) exactly what I needed exactly when I needed it!

@pkgal21 They are doing just what all chicks do at this age, whether under Mom or Mama Heating Pad. Out with a broody, they would have been reaching the size where they no longer all fit under her anyway, so they are instinctively looking toward each other for warmth and security. A lot of broodies (but certainly not all) would be preparing them to “leave the nest” by 4 weeks old. So no worries on that score. They appear to be feathering nicely. As for whether to move them outside, I can’t make that call and tell you yes or no. I think what I’d do is leave things as they are for a few more days and see how they do....if they aren’t cheeping in distress or staying in that huddle for extended periods of time during the day, they are probably just fine.

Again, thanks a million! I needed that!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I’ve had a rough evening over on another web site, mostly due to my own overtiredness - not asking pertinent questions or not reading posts correctly and giving stupid answers because of it. I could have saved myself a dozen or so posts if I had been more alert, and saved those folks who were asking the questions an eye-glazing and probably frustrating experience. I looked like I was just stumbling around and not knowing a doggone thing about MHP or chick behavior. <sigh> I actually felt thick and stupid.

Then I came here to check in and read posts like the last ones I just read and my spirits lifted. @Hufflefluff, @Ol Grey Mare , and @pkgal21 - thank you for saying (and showing) exactly what I needed exactly when I needed it!

@pkgal21 They are doing just what all chicks do at this age, whether under Mom or Mama Heating Pad. Out with a broody, they would have been reaching the size where they no longer all fit under her anyway, so they are instinctively looking toward each other for warmth and security. A lot of broodies (but certainly not all) would be preparing them to “leave the nest” by 4 weeks old. So no worries on that score. They appear to be feathering nicely. As for whether to move them outside, I can’t make that call and tell you yes or no. I think what I’d do is leave things as they are for a few more days and see how they do....if they aren’t cheeping in distress or staying in that huddle for extended periods of time during the day, they are probably just fine.

Again, thanks a million! I needed that!

, we all have those days.

 

[Leigti]

I think I am going to try this method. I am getting four new chicks on the 15th. I have done the heat lamp thing without any issues, I have reptiles so I know how to set up heat lamp but quite frankly I don’t want them in the house very long. It’s still getting down into the 30s at night, is that too cold? I have been fighting trying not to run an extension cord to the coop but I guess I will just have to get over it and do it anyway. I am assuming there are special extension cords and connectors to protect the cord etc. from the rain and snow? Sorry I sound stupid, I’m just not used to this. I don’t want to electrocute me or my chickens.

 

[Birdinhand]

I think I am going to try this method. I am getting four new chicks on the 15th. I have done the heat lamp thing without any issues, I have reptiles so I know how to set up heat lamp but quite frankly I don’t want them in the house very long. It’s still getting down into the 30s at night, is that too cold? I have been fighting trying not to run an extension cord to the coop but I guess I will just have to get over it and do it anyway. I am assuming there are special extension cords and connectors to protect the cord etc. from the rain and snow? Sorry I sound stupid, I’m just not used to this. I don’t want to electrocute me or my chickens.

i'm in Western WA, it's not too cold for the MHP, I have had some frustration with my last batch of 37 CX. next time I will make sure they are all eating and drinking before putting them out in the cold. for the first day or so, it's a good idea to make sure they get the hang of it. once things are going, nothing beats an MHP!

As for extension cords and safety, you should be fine as long as both ends are under cover, protected from the rain/snow.

 

[Blooie]

Agreed. Protect every connection either with those plastic clamshell weather protectors or electrical tape. Use a heavy duty, outdoor use rated extension cord. And monitor the chicks.

Off topic but this just happened and it’s confused the socks off me. I’m genuinely puzzled. Why would someone say here on BYC that the heating pad was a “bacteria cave” and say that she couldn’t
endorse using it? I’ve neither discussed MHP with her, tried to talk into using it, nor asked for her lofty endorsement. Are people really that threatened by a different way of doing things? I’ve been off and on here for the last couple of months so did I miss something - an outbreak of disease in people or chicks due to some kind of bacteria in the system? If so, was it reported on this thread and I didn’t see it? Everyone here has done a stellar job of reporting issues they may have had, so did this come up? I’m totally poleaxed.

 

[aart]

Why would someone say here on BYC that the heating pad was a “bacteria cave” and say that she couldn’t
endorse using it? I’ve neither discussed MHP with her, tried to talk into using it, nor asked for her lofty endorsement.

Ya can't win 'em all over @Blooie and some are obviously not worth engaging.
You are not personally responsible for other peoples perceptions and logic.
I remember seeing that comment, considered the source, and moved on without reply...I do that often when online, here and in other forums.
Hope you got some good sleep.

 

[Medda]

Hi all, no chicks yet but MPH is done. I had the MPH on my table, turned on and testing the auto shut off override before I did the press-n-seal wrapped towel over the top. Was busy doing stuff around the house and found this:

I think Newt approves of a nice warm spot! LOL.
The set up is a piece of wire shelving, 16 in x 20 in. Heating pad bungee corded underneath and then the pad and frame enclosed in an old pillow case which is also bungee corded over the top. The legs are 8 in threaded bolts with nuts and washers on each corner for easy height adjustment. Starting off with front height at 4 in sloping down to 2 in at back.
Medda

 

[bruceha2000]

Always good to have it inspected @Medda and Newt even made sure it could easily support the weight of chicks when they choose to go up top.

Are people really that threatened by a different way of doing things?

The long answer is: Yes

I don't know where this was posted, clearly not in a thread I follow. There are "spinoff" MHP threads, maybe in one of them. I read only this one.

Protect every connection either with those plastic clamshell weather protectors or electrical tape.

ALSO! ASSUMING the cord is plugged into an outside outlet, it MUST be the type that has a housing that covers the plug and cord when the cord is plugged in. NOT the kind with the flaps that cover the outlet when it is not in use.