Mama heating pad question.

[K0k0shka]

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.

I use the same and have no problems with the chicks outgrowing them. But I keep the height so the chicks can fit under there sitting, not standing. That way I get more life out of the MHP, and it’s more natural for them, since they’d be sitting under the hen, not standing, and they sleep sitting, not standing (I’ve seen recommendations to keep the height at their backs when standing, and I disagree). And if they reach a point when they are 6 inches tall when sitting, then they no longer need a MHP at that point.

 

[aart]

I use the same and have no problems with the chicks outgrowing them. But I keep the height so the chicks can fit under there sitting, not standing. That way I get more life out of the MHP, and it’s more natural for them, since they’d be sitting under the hen, not standing, and they sleep sitting, not standing (I’ve seen recommendations to keep the height at their backs when standing, and I disagree). And if they reach a point when they are 6 inches tall when sitting, then they no longer need a MHP at that point.

Your thick wooden top(heavy) might deter them from being able to move the whole shebang. My current batch(with 4 Lt Brahma) are really moving it around

Agree tho, by the time they get that big they probably don't need the heat anymore.

 

[K0k0shka]

Your thick wooden top(heavy) might deter them from being able to move the whole shebang. My current batch(with 4 Lt Brahma) are really moving it around

Agree tho, by the time they get that big they probably don't need the heat anymore.

Haha. All the more reason why the wooden board is better I’ll go thicker next time, so the bolts are more stable without the need for the corner blocks. And then it will be even heavier and more non-movable.

 

[aart]

Haha. All the more reason why the wooden board is better I’ll go thicker next time, so the bolts are more stable without the need for the corner blocks. And then it will be even heavier and more non-movable.

Thicker wood means easier to use Tnuts for the bolts.

 

[K0k0shka]

Thicker wood means easier to use Tnuts for the bolts.

I should've just used thicker wood to begin with, but didn't feel like going to HD just for that, and had plenty of OSB pieces lying around left over from the coop build. Now that I have accepted the reality that I'll be doing this every spring, I'll make myself an upgraded, proper, reusable brooder plate next year, with thick wood and less texture so it would be easier to clean.

 

[junior67]

I use the same and have no problems with the chicks outgrowing them. But I keep the height so the chicks can fit under there sitting, not standing. That way I get more life out of the MHP, and it’s more natural for them, since they’d be sitting under the hen, not standing, and they sleep sitting, not standing (I’ve seen recommendations to keep the height at their backs when standing, and I disagree). And if they reach a point when they are 6 inches tall when sitting, then they no longer need a MHP at that point.

Ok. Good then I won't worry about it yet since they can sit under it still. Good to know that isn't an issue

 

[aart]

I should've just used thicker wood to begin with, but didn't feel like going to HD just for that, and had plenty of OSB pieces lying around left over from the coop build. Now that I have accepted the reality that I'll be doing this every spring, I'll make myself an upgraded, proper, reusable brooder plate next year, with thick wood and less texture so it would be easier to clean.

Could always put cardboard on top of wood, and just chuck it when too soiled.

 

[Chickstarrs]

I don't have any press n seal. I am going to try putting my MHP in a zip lock freezer bag. It fits in perfectly, I just have to seal around the place where the cord comes out of the ziplock. Now I am thinking of maybe going with a board on top with cardboard on top of that for easy cleaning. Hmm... better go see if I have any bungee cords first.

 

[junior67]

Your thick wooden top(heavy) might deter them from being able to move the whole shebang. My current batch(with 4 Lt Brahma) are really moving it around

Agree tho, by the time they get that big they probably don't need the heat anymore.

I have 2 light brahmas, one is HUGE already, and 4 cochins, one is tiny still, and then 2 EE and 1 of the EE is HUGE. The others are a tad smaller than those breeds but not by a ton. so shocked mine haven't really moved it around much but maybe because they are only 3 weeks old. most of the time they aren't under there, but there are 3 of them that seem to still be under it more than the rest. The others go under mainly just at night now.

 

[rosemarythyme]

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

Guess it's no surprise, I've never had more than 4 chicks at a time.

Otherwise yes flat would be ideal for more coverage for more birds.