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

[Blooie]

@aart I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’s quite fair. Yes, from time to time the thread wanders off-topic, but it’s brought back pretty quickly. And yes, the thread had become large enough to make it hard to find precisely the info that someone might be searching for. But without exception questions are answered as quickly as they are asked, as evidenced by the great stuff that you post, as well as Bruce, me, and so many others. The first post in the thread, which is the one people hit when they come here for information, contains a direct link to the photos and instructions for the alternative setup. People have been referred to your thread as well. And this is one of BYC threads that has always remained civil, with no sniping or nastiness. (Well, unless you count the MRI incident where I lost my cool briefly)

I wish there was a way to condense the thread. But there are so many tidbits and fantastic photos that would be lost if we started over. You’re right, there’s a lot of superfluous chat that could be weeded out. But branding this thread as a “chat thread” is unfair to those who have gotten to know each other through sharing ideas, successes and failures, and answers.

 

[aart]

@aart I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’s quite fair. Yes, from time to time the thread wanders off-topic, but it’s brought back pretty quickly.

No need to take it personally. Have heard many people remark about not going thru xxxx pages on this thread.

People have been referred to your thread as well.

Not sure what thread you mean here.

 

[Finnie]

I've never had an "open" pad and frame, always encased in some sort of fabric with the pad under the frame. Frame doesn't get hot, chicks never contact it.

This is what I do too. I use long or short sleeve shirts that would be destined for goodwill and stretch them over the whole thing. Then sew shut the openings. Loose fabric drapes down and they snuggle into it. I do try to make sure there are no pockets or tunnels of fabric that they could get trapped in.

I only clicked on this thread just now because I just got two MHPs ready for chicks that should ship today.

 

[bruceha2000]

You WILL of course post pictures when they arrive and are happily in their MHP brooder areas, right?

 

[Finnie]

You WILL of course post pictures when they arrive and are happily in their MHP brooder areas, right?

Well first they have to arrive. Apparently Welp doesn’t send out a shipping notice, and the date on my order confirmation has come and gone with no charge to my credit card yet. Boy, I sure hope they don’t ship them right before the weekend.

I think I will wait until they are open and give them a call.

 

[bruceha2000]

That is pretty sad, and a good reason to use a different hatchery I would think! How are you supposed to tell the PO that you have chicks coming "tomorrow" if you don't know?? How are YOU supposed to know that you need to be available early the morning they arrive?

I looked at their website and have come up with other reasons.
First, this is NOT an Ancona
"Female" Ancona

Second, they have the same picture under each option for a breed - male, female, straight run. Hard to know what your hen will look like if they only show pictures of roosters. In some cases there are drawings or nothing at all.

They do have really good prices though. Don't know what they charge for shipping.

 

[wolfwalker]

That is pretty sad, and a good reason to use a different hatchery I would think! How are you supposed to tell the PO that you have chicks coming "tomorrow" if you don't know?? How are YOU supposed to know that you need to be available early the morning they arrive?

->clipped<-

They do have really good prices though. Don't know what they charge for shipping.

I have ordered quite a bit from them, and surprisingly enough, their layer chicks come from Privat Hatchery. I know this from the address and point of origin on the label. I normally call at noon on the day my chicks are supposed to ship and they fire off the tracking number to me.
When you call the phone people are in the office of International Poultry, they deal with meat chicks that are mainly trucked to the farms so the trucker calls ahead.
Shipping is free. And Privat tries to breed to SOP for the breeds they sell, while not show quality, the breeds I have received from them I have no problem slotting them into my breeding flocks for new blood

 

[bruceha2000]

Curious. I wonder why Privett would want to add a "middleman" to the process, especially with no cost shipping and low price birds.

 

[janiedoe]

Hey @Blooie I hope you are doing well.
I went to TSC to get dog food earlier.
They had standard brahmas and I didn't have any of those so I got 4 and I also got a little Sussex that was chirping relentlessly because she was the only chick in her bin.
Anyway, I got home and quickly assembled my MHP. I put it in the prefab coop that I use for broodies. (In a secured run) They are very happy and content now.
Sorry @aart I know I'm getting off topic but I'm a ramblin' kinda gal!
It's 50F degrees here and dropping to 46 tonight with rain. I'm sure they will be fine. Am I right?
I've done this before in the late spring (same setup) when it was 60's at night but never this cool and wet.

 

[aart]

Sorry @aart I know I'm getting off topic but I'm a ramblin' kinda gal!

Oh that ship has long since sailed.....and you did have a MHP question

It's 50F degrees here and dropping to 46 tonight with rain. I'm sure they will be fine. Am I right?

As long as they are dry and out of any breezes, it should be fine.
I think we need pics