Mama heating pad question.

[CaroChickenMom]

The chicks arrived at 9 am! I didn’t have the time to get the press and seal, and used a cardboard on top instead for now. The chicks are so happy with the MHP!! It’s so much better than the lamp, as they can chose if to go to the toasty place or to go out and play!

 

[rosemarythyme]

how often do you change yours? also am I remembering the right person and you are the one with the cave looking one with Hay over it?

mine is gross after a couple hours so I feel I don't change it enough doing it once a day so sometimes I do twice but would be nice if I didn't have to do it that much. LOL

I never change it. The Press N Seal is only on the heating pad itself (I wrap it to the curved wire frame, the wire frame then gets attached to a more rigid frame to hold it up). I cover the top of the frame with pieces of scrap cardboard, which I can just brush poop off of. Once brooding is over, I toss the cardboard, remove and toss the Press N Seal, and the heating pad is clean and ready to be stored for next time.

Fully assembled minus the cardboard top:

Bebes warming up:

 

[aart]

I never change it. The Press N Seal is only on the heating pad itself (I wrap it to the curved wire frame, the wire frame then gets attached to a more rigid frame to hold it up). I cover the top of the frame with pieces of scrap cardboard, which I can just brush poop off of. Once brooding is over, I toss the cardboard, remove and toss the Press N Seal, and the heating pad is clean and ready to be stored for next time.

Fully assembled minus the cardboard top:
View attachment 2640263

Bebes warming up:
View attachment 2640267

Do they get inside the curve too?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do they get inside the curve too?

Yup, when they get a little older and don't need as much heat, they opt to sleep inside the curve instead of under it.

 

[aart]

Yup, when they get a little older and don't need as much heat, they opt to sleep inside the curve instead of under it.

Was thinking it's like a 'hammock' rather than a 'cave'.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Was thinking it's like a 'hammock' rather than a 'cave'.

It made sense to me when I first made it. Two batches of chicks have used it without issue, so even though it's unconventional, I guess it works.

 

[aart]

It made sense to me when I first made it. Two batches of chicks have used it without issue, so even though it's unconventional, I guess it works.

Fine for a half dozen or fewer chicks,
for more than that flat pad is best.

 

[K0k0shka]

I don’t use press-n-seal, or a towel, or cardboard, or anything. I just use a flat wooden board and bungee the heating pad to that. Then I just scrape the poops off the top of it. The underside doesn’t get pooped. When chicks are done with the MHP I just wash the cover of the heating pad. Very easy and low maintenance! I’m on my second year using this setup. I love it, and the chicks love it!

 

[junior67]

Those that use bolts for legs what size bolts do you get? I think mine are 5" and I think the chicks are getting too big at 3 weeks! I am already really close to the top on the front and getting closer in the back as well. Trying to think of a safe way to raise it so when the 10 of them are on the top it doesn't fall off of whatever I raise it with..... Any ideas? I don't see 6" bolts lasting that much longer to make it worth buying those.

 

[aart]

Those that use bolts for legs what size bolts do you get? I think mine are 5" and I think the chicks are getting too big at 3 weeks! I am already really close to the top on the front and getting closer in the back as well. Trying to think of a safe way to raise it so when the 10 of them are on the top it doesn't fall off of whatever I raise it with..... Any ideas? I don't see 6" bolts lasting that much longer to make it worth buying those.

I used 6" long 1/4-20's.
You could take a 2x4 and do 3/4" counterbores to hold the bolt heads in place.
But I've also seen them actually lift the rack/pad and move it.
So maybe 4x4 with deeper counterbores.