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

[Minky]

my 4 little chicks are doing well with MHP (i made it into a little tunnel with scrap hardware cloth.)
Lovey is 4 weeks, Cheeks and Pingu are 3 weeks and Newbie is 2 weeks old. They've been in the living room this whole time, so now I have moved them to our sunroom, where it is low 40's at night and maybe 50 in the day. I put the tunnel to level 3 for night... (I was using level 2 in the house) and when i came out at 7 am, they were all standing on top. So I will lower to level 2 tonight.
Does that sound right?
I figured maybe in a few days Ill put them in the barn, but I have a hatch going on in there today and dont want momma to hear peeping from someplace else and get confused or leave the nest.

What kind of waterer do you guys use? I change the water at least 10 times a day- and its always full of shavings!!!!!!

 

[Molpet]

my 4 little chicks are doing well with MHP (i made it into a little tunnel with scrap hardware cloth.)
Lovey is 4 weeks, Cheeks and Pingu are 3 weeks and Newbie is 2 weeks old. They've been in the living room this whole time, so now I have moved them to our sunroom, where it is low 40's at night and maybe 50 in the day. I put the tunnel to level 3 for night... (I was using level 2 in the house) and when i came out at 7 am, they were all standing on top. So I will lower to level 2 tonight.
Does that sound right?
I figured maybe in a few days Ill put them in the barn, but I have a hatch going on in there today and dont want momma to hear peeping from someplace else and get confused or leave the nest.

What kind of waterer do you guys use? I change the water at least 10 times a day- and its always full of shavings!!!!!!

I was putting the waterer up on a brick or upside down feed pan, I just got a nipple waterer for this year... haven't used it yet.

 

[Minky]

yes, I would like to make a couple more nipple waterers (only have one in main coop) but I used the nipples at the bottom and they always freeze- next ones Ill do sideways.

I will try and raise it up on something see if that works, thanks!!!

 

[Minky]

Im in a panic- my chicks are hatching in the barn and its suddenly -5 degrees (20 F) the day started out nice (ish) and a storm wind warning has been in effect all day (blew our 15 foot trampoline about 15 feet!!) and then we had snow gusting and now its 20F. Sun just set, so will get colder overnight for sure.
First time broody hen and 15 eggs (first one hatched out around 1130 am and there were others pipping..so......)
What do i do? She's in a carboard moving box next box with wood shavings. Its in a barn with an earthen floor. There is some straw around the back of next box so not up against the exteriour (metal) wall... but Im sure its still 25F in there maximum...

I can bring her in laudnry room, garage, sunroom, basement- really anyplace. Just pick box up and move it. Do you think i should? Im really worried.
15 eggs is a lot for a medium sized easter egger.

Thanks

 

[Blooie]

I don't know what to tell you - that's a pretty drastic change. If you think she'll tolerate the move to the sunroom, you could certainly try that, but I'd be worried about her getting upset. Blocking the wind and making sure the chicks can fit under her in the cold is the big issue! Can you block her off with a lot more straw around here out there?

Remember that my chicks under Mama Heating Pad did just fine under such conditions, but the difference between MHP and a real broody is that MHP doesn't move. Once the chicks go under, they stay under until they want to come out. I'm afraid I'd be lying if I said that I have the correct answer for you. This is probably going to be one of those "gut calls" where you do what you think is best.

Please, please keep us posted.

 

[Minky]

Ok, thanks for the input.

I moved her. I don't think she even blinked an eye. She's in my garage now in a big cozy pen with shavings and her nesting box inside of that. I feel like I should've done that 3 weeks ago!!!! Feeling much better.. I can handle dead chicks because they dont make it to hatching out, but because they die of being cold- I would beat myself up about that.
Now I can have wine....

 

[Sutherlandfarms]

Am I doing this right? Nervous about the heat and pecking or the heat and the Rubbermaid bin they’re in inside the crate

Before w heat lamp

After with MHP

 

[Blooie]

The only suggestion I would make is - if it’s possible with the size of your brooder -to smoosh the pad down a little flatter at the center so the heat is more at the level of their backs. What are you using for a frame? All you really need is the frame, the heating pad and something to cover the pad. I use a thin towel with Press ‘n Seal firmly pressed down, but others have used puppy pee pads, cloth diapers - anything that puts a protective layer between those pooping little hineys and the pad. They will love to spend time on top after a couple of days. Most of us have learned through trial and error that the more layers you have, the more places there are for chicks to get trapped and more layers tends to mean more insulation.

I think you’ve done a fine job for just learning this method. A little fine tuning and you’ll be able to relax a bit more - maybe even join @Minky with that glass of wine!

Oh, and Minky, glad to hear moving her went so well! Thanks for updating us.

 

[Blooie]

This is kinda what you’re going for, if the photo helps.

 

[Sutherlandfarms]

This is kinda what you’re going for, if the photo helps. View attachment 1325197

My metal frame was not very bendy it’s an a frame so I clipped the pad to the sides of the cage and Rubbermaid and it swags in the middle. Is this better?