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

[AmeliaBedelia]

But some like the 'cave'.

Pseudo Plate is what I call mine...because it's flat.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

And the ones with 2 sides closed...what would we call those? "Highway underpasses"?

 

[bruceha2000]

Chick port!

 

[LightMadeLiquid]

You guys are cracking me up!

What about Mama Heating Pad Pergola?

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

How about "mama heating pad parking garage"? With the low ceilings and need to ensure enough exits, I think it fits.

 

[LightMadeLiquid]

Hi again everyone! Another question, this time about bedding.

What bedding do you use when brooding outdoors?

With my grown girls I have always done the deep litter method. I've been thinking that I would dig the deep litter out prior to getting the babies and put down pine shavings as bedding while they're small, but as the date gets closer I am beginning to overthink everything. Should I get the "normal" sized pine shavings sold as bedding at feed stores? Should I get the larger pine shavings? I've heard of some people covering the bedding with an old bed sheet for a couple of days?

I'd love to get any advice!

Thank you!

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

Some people run into issues with newborn chicks trying to eat bedding, which is why some people use paper towels, puppy pads, or even chick food as bedding when they are really small.

Will they be in a separate section of the main coop? Or are you sneaking them under a broody hen? If they have their own section, you could give their zone it's own bedding.

 

[LightMadeLiquid]

Some people run into issues with newborn chicks trying to eat bedding, which is why some people use paper towels, puppy pads, or even chick food as bedding when they are really small.

Will they be in a separate section of the main coop? Or are you sneaking them under a broody hen? If they have their own section, you could give their zone it's own bedding.

I actually just passed on all of my chickens to a friend as a starter flock, so the babies will have the entire 4x13 run to themselves. (I'll have plastic sheeting up to protect them from wind/the elements.) I will also have the run completely closed off from the coop at first because I worry that a baby might somehow get into the coop and get lost and cold, so it will just be the run.

 

[aart]

I will also have the run completely closed off from the coop at first because I worry that a baby might somehow get into the coop and get lost and cold, so it will just be the run.

Why not keep them in the coop?
Safer for heating power.

 

[LightMadeLiquid]

Why not keep them in the coop?
Safer for heating power.

Our current coop doesn’t have the ease of access that I’d need to feel comfortable keeping them in there. It’s got a swing-down panel that I can use to clean it, but I couldn’t open the coop enough to spend any time with them. That said, we are building a new walk-in coop soon, but for space, natural light and accessibility I think I’ll still keep them in our sheltered run. I’m playing this by ear, though, so if I get the new coop up and for some reason it would be more conducive to put them in the new coop I’ll just do that.

 

[LightMadeLiquid]

Why not keep them in the coop?
Safer for heating power.

For reference: I needed a new coop last year. My father lives out of state and is a brilliant builder. Covid kept him from being able to come out and help me build one (father-daughter project we’ve always wanted to do) so I purchased a temporary place-holder coop. It’s one of those kits that looks “cute” and say they can hold 20 chickens, but are really only safe for maybe 4. I’ll be glad to have my new coop in the next couple of weeks.