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

[bruceha2000]

@bruceha2000 What you gonna do with all those birds???? You got a broody hen, or gonna dig out your MHP? I need to sell some hens so I can start some more chicks!

No broody at the moment. Unless one starts REAL soon, it will be all MHP like last year. Last year I planned to get chicks at a time when at least 1 of the 3 oldest girls have gone broody in the past. They didn't sign up to the plan. This year I'm getting them when all 4 breeds are available and that was either next week or sometime in late July.

Decision made last week when it was clear Betty wouldn't make it after her relapse and seeing thin shell eggs from Mellori. Oldest hens not laying much (not surprising for 6 year olds) and figure there will be some age related losses.

 

[lazy gardener]

Too bad you weren't closer. I could help you out! What you getting? I desperately want to hatch, but don't have enough egg customers as it is! Hubby just read a post that says Wally World is pullling all of their eggs off their shelves due to a Salmonella recall. That should help my egg sales! Regardless of my hen house population, I intend to hatch every year, simply to ensure that I don't end up with a geriatric population on the roost bars!

 

[bruceha2000]

1 Barnevelder to replace Trouble (the accidental cockerel)
1 Welsummer to replace Betty
2 Barred Rocks
2 Golden Campines (because DD1 thinks they are cute)

 

[Blooie]

(My day to post...)

@Blooie Looking forward: how many years would you use WELL, CAREFULLY STORED FLAT heating pads?

I have no bloomin' idea! I used the same pad for 8 batches of chicks in 2015, 16, and 17, and in between times used it on my own aches and pains - after washing it, of course. Storing flat definitely does seem to be the key. When the pad isn't rolled or folded, the heating element wires don't have the stress on them, so they'll last for several years, I would imagine. NOTE: Always, always, always get the pad out and run it, checking for super hot spots or any other electrical issues and if you question it, dump it! They aren't that expensive and I'd still rather buy a pad a year than risk a fire.

 

[Blooie]

Oh, forgot to answer the question about the watering. I use vertical nipples for my Littles at the beginning. I have one bucket that has a couple of nipples in it and it's just for chicks. After I know they are able to trip the mechanism and understand that that's their water source, I switch them to horizontals, wash up the other bucket and store it with the chick supplies for the next time. Scout (the Little Chick that Could) used a horizontal nipple outside with the flock from the start but he had his mom and the other adults to show him how it worked. For the first days, they'd drink and he'd follow them to get the little bits of water that remained in the red cup part but almost immediately learned to push it himself. He was a broody hatched chick who had to be brought in for medical care. (Still miss that little dude)

I prefer to start chicks on the vertical, despite the messier nature of the things.

 

[Dragonflydore]

Heat question!

My babes around roughly 2-3 weeks right now, mix of ages.

They no longer go on or under the heat pad during the day, is it OK to shut it off until bedtime if the ambient temp is in the 65's and up and stable?

They are in my basement but its climate controlled to a point and not humid.

 

[Storybook Farm]

Are most VNs created equal? Would these work fine?

https://www.amazon.com/Drinker-Chic...3890622&sr=8-4&keywords=Nipple+water+chickens

 

[Storybook Farm]

Heat question!

My babes around roughly 2-3 weeks right now, mix of ages.

They no longer go on or under the heat pad during the day, is it OK to shut it off until bedtime if the ambient temp is in the 65's and up and stable?

They are in my basement but its climate controlled to a point and not humid.

Do they go under at night?

 

[Mraya]

Are most VNs created equal? Would these work fine?

https://www.amazon.com/Drinker-Chic...3890622&sr=8-4&keywords=Nipple+water+chickens

I bought these from Amazon and they worked grate for me. They took awhile to get to me but where worth it.

 

[Dragonflydore]

Yes! I usually turn off the lights around 8pm (sunset) and they scream at me in protest for a few minutes and then go to bed haha!

I would of course turn it back on at night, we are just frugal and it seemed silly to use the electricity for it if they are not under or on it in the day...they are super active and run around all day.

Do they go under at night?