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

[AmeliaBedelia]

As long as they can't get their heads stuck in it.
BTDT.
I found having the pad underneath the wire rack is best.
Went thru several iterations before finding a good design:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

I tried my best to copy aart’s design, so highly recommend this guide. Its been a couple years since I had baby chicks, so I will be taking a look this week as a refresher when I set up the brooder.

 

[Molpet]

I've been using the MHP for about 2 years now, I think. I hatched out 15 chicks this weekend. I intended to use a regular heat lamp simply because I was suspicious that my heating pad wasn't getting as warm as it should but both bulbs I had wouldn't work. So I reverted to the MHP and kept checking it all evening. All 15 chicks were very quiet and snug under the MHP.

Today is Day 2... And half the chicks have opted to sleep on TOP of the MHP instead of under it. Anyone ever had that happen?

I'm wondering if maybe it was too crowded underneath? Or maybe I just have it set too low?

I've had chicks roost on top every time I've used a MHP but never on Day 2! They are usually much older before they graduate to the roof....

Could be too crowded
Could be too warm
Could be those chicks are hot.
Could be they are contrary boys

 

[bruceha2000]

It should be between 95-100 for the first week, correct?

That is ambient air temp for chicks raised in an enclosed area with a heat lamp. They DO NOT need that temp. Does a hen heat the air where they and the chicks live? No. What the chicks need is ACCESS to heat when they need it.

I have raised day old shipped chicks with MHP and by a broody hen (first day and night and next day with MHP in the house). Other than the initial twelve 11 years ago (pre MHP knowledge, heat lamp following the standard 95°F for a week, drop by 5°F weekly "requirement" in a WAY TOO HOT bathroom!!! ) all my chicks have grown up out in the barn after they were 2-3 days old. It is NEVER anywhere close to 95°F out there in early June. Highs might hit mid 70's, nights in the 50s or below.

These 4 day old chicks are not in ambient 95°F temps and they are not under the hen. June 2015, 4 of the original 7 are still alive.

A friend of mine puts a heating pad under their feet as well to make it warmer.

Does a hen heat the bottom of the chicks' feet? No. The MHP is trying to emulate a mother hen. They heat the chicks under them, chicks against their body. Thus the MHP works by the chicks pressing up against the heating pad.

 

[aart]

That is ambient air temp for chicks raised in an enclosed area with a heat lamp.

Not ambient but the floor/ground under the heat lamp......the rest of the brooder and the room it's in can/should be much cooler.

 

[KRack]

That is ambient air temp for chicks raised in an enclosed area with a heat lamp. They DO NOT need that temp. Does a hen heat the air where they and the chicks live? No. What the chicks need is ACCESS to heat when they need it.

I have raised day old shipped chicks with MHP and by a broody hen (first day and night and next day with MHP in the house). Other than the initial twelve 11 years ago (pre MHP knowledge, heat lamp following the standard 95°F for a week, drop by 5°F weekly "requirement" in a WAY TOO HOT bathroom!!! ) all my chicks have grown up out in the barn after they were 2-3 days old. It is NEVER anywhere close to 95°F out there in early June. Highs might hit mid 70's, nights in the 50s or below.

These 4 day old chicks are not in ambient 95°F temps and they are not under the hen. June 2015, 4 of the original 7 are still alive.
View attachment 3445988


Does a hen heat the bottom of the chicks' feet? No. The MHP is trying to emulate a mother hen. They heat the chicks under them, chicks against their body. Thus the MHP works by the chicks pressing up against the heating pad.

I skimmed what you said, some of which confused me, some I understood lol. But I got the temp on high to be about 105, which means I have 5 lower settings to choose from to adjust to their comfort level. I’ll watch them like has been suggested and adjust accordingly.

 

[aart]

But I got the temp on high to be about 105,

Where and how did you measure this temp?

 

[KRack]

Where and how did you measure this temp?

I have a thermometer that measures temperature and humidity. I put it under the mat where the chicks will be.

 

[KRack]

I skimmed what you said, some of which confused me, some I understood lol. But I got the temp on high to be about 105, which means I have 5 lower settings to choose from to adjust to their comfort level. I’ll watch them like has been suggested and adjust accordingly.

I can also make the heating pad higher/lower to adjust the temperature. In addition to the settings on the pad itself.

 

[aart]

I have a thermometer that measures temperature and humidity. I put it under the mat where the chicks will be.

Measured like this:

It started out at 96, then dropped to 90 and stayed there until I turned it off. I also got a sunbeam heating pad.

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[TJAnonymous]

Could be too crowded
Could be too warm
Could be those chicks are hot.
Could be they are contrary boys

Well they sure do look cute all sprawled out asleep on top....