mama heating pad question

[junior67]

I am going to be doing a MHP for my chicks. I am doing it with a cooling rack bent. What rack should I use? https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wilton-Bake-It-Better-Non-Stick-Cooling-Grid-10-x-16-Inch/44432740 or this one looks like the holes are bigger? https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Gold-Nonstick-16-x-11-Cooling-Rack-Baking-Rack/715059596

This is the heating pad that I got. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D6QNKPV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 it has the auto on feature and 9 heat settings. it has a cover as well. I am going to but the press and seal around it do I need to put a towel over it before the press and seal or no where it has a cover?

any other tips are welcome as well!

 

[Conan]

My go to is any old rack with the heating pad over it placed in a pillow case. Then I usually tape the case to tighten it up. Just make sure no tape is exposed for lil chicks to stick to.
This latest time, I got lazier, and just put the pad under them with a towel on top. They don't seem to mind either way.

 

[junior67]

My go to is any old rack with the heating pad over it placed in a pillow case. Then I usually tape the case to tighten it up. Just make sure no tape is exposed for lil chicks to stick to.
This latest time, I got lazier, and just put the pad under them with a towel on top. They don't seem to mind either way.

Thanks. I don't have any old racks which is why I was just going to get a cheap one. wasn't sure if bigger holes would help more heat get to their backs? or if smaller holes would be better.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks. I don't have any old racks which is why I was just going to get a cheap one. wasn't sure if bigger holes would help more heat get to their backs? or if smaller holes would be better.

The hole size shouldn't matter. Pad should be attached on the bottom of the rack, so their backs are not pressing against the metal grid. Press N Seal wrapped tightly will do the trick.

 

[junior67]

The hole size shouldn't matter. Pad should be attached on the bottom of the rack, so their backs are not pressing against the metal grid. Press N Seal wrapped tightly will do the trick.

oh ok. all the directions I have found have had it on top of the racks and then a towel wrapped around the whole thing and many use the press and seal on it for easy clean up. So didn't know it should be attached under it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

oh ok. all the directions I have found have had it on top of the racks and then a towel wrapped around the whole thing and many use the press and seal on it for easy clean up. So didn't know it should be attached under it.

Maybe I'm crazy then, I've always attached it on the bottom so young chicks have the entire expanse of padded heat to use. As they get older mine will start sleeping on top of the pad, as that gives off less heat, which is also a good indicator that they're starting to wean themselves away from the heat.

 

[junior67]

Found the ones that are build more like a heat plate than a cave. If I get 2 cooling racks and put them together to make it 11x24 (my heating pad is 12x24 and use the bolts to adjust the height. What size bolts would I need in order to get it high enough until they don't need it anymore. I think I found to start it should be about 1 1/2"-2" off the bottom. What about when they are 5-7 weeks or so????

 

[rosemarythyme]

Unfortunately I don't have bolt recommendations as I don't have experience with a build like that.

What about when they are 5-7 weeks or so????

They should be off heat by 5 weeks unless it's unreasonably cold (below freezing).

 

[junior67]

Unfortunately I don't have bolt recommendations as I don't have experience with a build like that.


They should be off heat by 5 weeks unless it's unreasonably cold (below freezing).

Thanks. And ok shouldn't be that cold here by then I hope. hahaaa. that will be around Mid May so we should hopefully have nice temps! I would LOVE to have them in the coop around 6 weeks but prepared for 8 if not fully feathered.

 

[junior67]

ok still 3 weeks till chicks but put together the MHP just to get opinions. I have pics of the top of it (I have a hand towel on the top then wrapped with cling wrap to keep it clean), the underside of it (are the bungee cords ok exposed? I didn't want to wrap that side since the heating pad is so soft so thought the chicks would like pressing their backs on that), and a pic of it from the front (may have to adjust the heights once I get chicks). Is there anything anyone would change? do different? The cooling rack I used is only 16x11 and the heating pad is 24x12 so I could overlap 2 cooling racks to make it the full 24" of the heating pad. should I do that? Also I forgot the cooling racks I got had big holes so the washers I bought fit right through them so I had to put cardpoard there to hold it, I may get bigger washers instead.