Mamma heating pad temp check

[ShaylaFox]

I've been using a similar set-up for my newly hatched quail, but with a seedling heating pad. I actually had one under their paper towel in part of the brooder and then one over a dome I made with hardware cloth. Unfortunately there were some gaps I didn't notice/think about and one chick got stuck between the mesh and heating pad and died. I have since changed my setup so that one heating pad is attached to an old mango box with bungee cords and then a towel overtop. This wasn't getting quite warm enough underneath and they were crying, so I put the second heating pad underneath my brooder to add some warmth but not get too hot or allow any chicks to get trapped again. They seem ok now that's it's back up to heat. They were definitely crying before I put the second mat back under their brooder.
Basically my only real tips, make sure they can't get stuck anywhere and that it's not too hot... My mesh really heated up when I had that as their dome. Good luck!

I will definitely keep a close eye on them and try to consider dangerous parts. I am using wide wire, it got really warm to the touch too. I covered it with a thick hand towel. I like the idea of the mamma cave but it’s a lot harder to execute than I thought it was going to be

 

[Pippin quail]

I will definitely keep a close eye on them and try to consider dangerous parts. I am using wide wire, it got really warm to the touch too. I covered it with a thick hand towel. I like the idea of the mamma cave but it’s a lot harder to execute than I thought it was going to be

I agree! This is my first ever hatch, so I thought the mamma cave would be easier and less dangerous than a heat lamp... But it's definitely been a little difficult to find the perfect height and make sure there are no tiny quail sized gaps to get stuck in. Hoping my 5 little ones do ok the rest of the time in there!