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

[LaurajDinges]

Looks good from here.
Yes you do want to make sure there aren't any exposed sticky tape parts. The last time I made one I had an old piece of canvas tarp. I hand sewed it around the pad and frame. I don't worry much about what gets on it, I just stick an old dish towel on top of the cave.

One thing I'm confused about is do some people, who cover the lead with press n seal, or in your case a tarp, leave that exposed for the chicks to press their backs into? I know others cover the plastic layer with a pillow case... But wrapping the pad in multiple layers seems complicated and requires several bungies. What I'd like to do is just wrap press n seal around the pad, bungie it to the underside of my frame, and then throw a towel over the top. But. Not sure if I need to cover the press n seal.
Btw, they survived the night last night

 

[aart]

bungie it to the underside of my frame,

That can take multiple bungies also, to eliminate gaps they could crawl into.
I'm not a 'wrapper', I do put a piece of plastic between cardboard top and rack.
Even tho my pad can be machine washed, I'd rather it not get soaked with juicy poops.

 

[RoosterML]

There are 2 potential "dangers" I know of with MHP:

One is if there is a possibility a chick can get between the frame and the pad and get stuck. That is why it should be totally encased so there are no openings of that type.

This is the reason I don’t use it. I lost 5 little quail this way.

 

[bruceha2000]

One thing I'm confused about is do some people, who cover the lead with press n seal, or in your case a tarp, leave that exposed for the chicks to press their backs into?

I don't bother with the press n seal, I didn't even know what it was until Blooie posted her MHP description. I think those that are using it are trying to protect the pillowcase or other "wrapping. I used OLD pillowcases, didn't really care if they made it through or not. And as I said, I toss an old dish towel on top. I've not had any problems with "leakthrough" to the heating pad though if you are worried you can always put replaceable paper towels under the dishtowel.

I don't use bungees, even the times I have used a pillowcase. I just used black Gorilla tape wrapped around where the open end of the pillowcase came back up on the top of the frame and a couple of wraps to hold the pillowcase and pad up to the underside of the frame through the middle. Always careful to make sure there is no exposed sticky tape and the chicks didn't peck it.

The "encasing" fabric is close to the pad if it is pulled up tight to the pad and the frame. The chicks can get their backs right up to the heat.

This is the reason I don’t use it. I lost 5 little quail this way.

Because there were gaps the chicks could get into? I see that as a reason to revamp the MHP not a reason to do something else instead.

 

[RoosterML]

Because there were gaps the chicks could get into? I see that as a reason to revamp the MHP not a reason to do something else instead.

I did revamp it I use heating pads but I use it as radiant heat with the chicks sleeping on it. Very easy and safer to me.
I used 1/2” hardware cloth and arch it. Placed pad on top and covered pad with towel. The quail managed to find a way to get in between the pad and hardware cloth and couldn’t get back out. May fault sure. Easy thing to over look as you wouldn’t think that they would do that. So I did something completely different and haven’t lost anything since.

 

[bruceha2000]

You aren't the only one to ever have a chick get stuck between the pad and frame. It isn't real common but I suspect that is because many were lucky enough to see that it had happened to others and knew to look for and close gaps.

 

[Molpet]

I arch the hwc, put it upside down, put the pad on the inside. Slide a travel size zipped pillow case over the whole thing with the cord so it's zipped up and sticking out. Then I put 2 bungies to hold it together. Flip and put it the brooder. I put a towel on top hanging part way down.

 

[aart]

I arch the hwc, put it upside down, put the pad on the inside. Slide a travel size zipped pillow case over the whole thing with the cord so it's zipped up and sticking out. Then I put 2 bungies to hold it together. Flip and put it the brooder. I put a towel on top hanging part way down.

Pics?
How do you adjust the height as they grow?

 

[Molpet]

Pics?
How do you adjust the height as they grow?

I will look for pics later but I don't think I have any. Different phone and computer so I think I lost them. But I need to get it ready just in case.
Actually for adjusting, at first I sink it in the bedding and then remove the bedding inside as they grow until I need to arch it more. But by then they are usually sleeping on top. I have had broodies the last couple years

 

[bruceha2000]

How do you adjust the height as they grow?

Reform the frame, easy when it is made of light duty fencing/hardware cloth/rabbit cage wire.