Mamma heating pad temp check

[ShaylaFox]

This is my first time using a heating pad to raise chicks. I am using a sunbeam, 12x24 inch pad. It does have a feature to stay on 24/7. I have the heating pad on a wire frame, strapped up. It's on the highest heat setting. The heating pad is where the chicks' back can touch it. It's very low currently as these babies are two days old. They have to hunch down a little to get under it. I am worried about the temperature not being warm enough. I have a temp/humidity gauge, it's at 95 degrees. It's been inside the little cave for a few hours. I can't guarantee how accurate it is. When I place my hand on the heating pad, it just doesn't seem warm. Also, will this heating pad be large enough for 26 chicks? They seem to fit okay under it, however, I am leaning toward it being too small. I like my chicks to have lots of room. I am also considering just laying the heating pad flat, then create a cover to help trap in heat. Laying it flat would give the chicks more room. I would put a protective cover over the pad.

 

[IamRainey]

I raised 2 sets of chicks in just the set up you're describing. Worked fine for me and my chicks.

Can you "sculpt" your wire frame to give the height you're looking for? If I recall correctly, mine was about 7" at it's highest, lower at the back and the sides so the chicks could choose a spot that was right for them.

I also sawed off the handle of a feather duster so it would fit inside my "cave". The chicks had the choice of working themselves under the feathers as well. And I put fleece over the top of Mama Heating Pad so they could climb up there when they were ready for that. I think within a few days they were spending more time up there than in the cave. If you want to do that be sure to have extra pieces of fleece to replace the one that gets poopy.

 

[ShaylaFox]

I raised 2 sets of chicks in just the set up you're describing. Worked fine for me and my chicks.

Can you "sculpt" your wire frame to give the height you're looking for? If I recall correctly, mine was about 7" at it's highest, lower at the back and the sides so the chicks could choose a spot that was right for them.

I also sawed off the handle of a feather duster so it would fit inside my "cave". The chicks had the choice of working themselves under the feathers as well. And I put fleece over the top of Mama Heating Pad so they could climb up there when they were ready for that. I think within a few days they were spending more time up there than in the cave. If you want to do that be sure to have extra pieces of fleece to replace the one that gets poopy.

Yours is a LOT taller than mine is. How many chicks did you raise at once? What size is your heating pad? I am afraid that it won't be warm enough if they can't touch the heating pad with their back. I would really like to add the feathered duster but mine isn't tall enough right now. I do currently have a hand towel on top of the heating pad, just to protect it. How do you know if your cave is warm enough? This one is pretty well sealed off due to how low I have it. They seem very upset, they're chirping loudly.

 

[IamRainey]

I did one hatch of 6 chicks and then a second one of 4. I think I was using the same Sunbeam you're describing.

I don't think they need the heat right on their backs. In any case I formed my cave so they could choose the spot that suited them and the back and side slopes put them closer to the heat. I think it was a little less hot than the incubator in its hottest zone.

I was brooding them inside in my kitchen at room temps so my MHP didn't have to raise the temp all that much.

If you think they're trying to signal distress, try to give them choices so they can select the right conditions. Shaping your cave could solve that prob.

 

[Ted Brown]

I have the same setup/size. I used threaded rod to make legs so I could increase the height as the chicks grew. Temperature is set on high and to stay on.

I have used it for 3 hatches, once with 15 chicks. With the slope they can get as close as the wish to the pad or can leave the pad area altogether. I found they came and went as they "needed" and soon spent more time on top than underneath.

 

[ShaylaFox]

I did one hatch of 6 chicks and then a second one of 4. I think I was using the same Sunbeam you're describing.

I don't think they need the heat right on their backs. In any case I formed my cave so they could choose the spot that suited them and the back and side slopes put them closer to the heat. I think it was a little less hot than the incubator in its hottest zone.

I was brooding them inside in my kitchen at room temps so my MHP didn't have to raise the temp all that much.

If you think they're trying to signal distress, try to give them choices so they can select the right conditions. Shaping your cave could solve that prob.

I will create more of a dime to give them more choices. They’re in a room in the house too.

 

[ShaylaFox]

I have the same setup/size. I used threaded rod to make legs so I could increase the height as the chicks grew. Temperature is set on high and to stay on.

I have used it for 3 hatches, once with 15 chicks. With the slope they can get as close as the wish to the pad or can leave the pad area altogether. I found they came and went as they "needed" and soon spent more time on top than underneath.

I am going to get another pad and separate them so they’ll have more room. I’ve read so many benifits of using the pad I really want it to work out. I am going to shape it to where they have more option too

 

[rosemarythyme]

IMO 26 is way too much to fit, heating pads work best for smaller batches as chicks can get crushed or trampled if they're forced to stuff into a small space.

Also for the temperature... are you measuring the pad surface or the ambient temperature? Heating pads don't heat the air, they work on direct contact. It doesn't really have to be that hot to the touch, my heating pad was just warm, but it was still good enough to get the chicks through the first few weeks.

 

[Pippin quail]

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!

 

[ShaylaFox]

IMO 26 is way too much to fit, heating pads work best for smaller batches as chicks can get crushed or trampled if they're forced to stuff into a small space.

Also for the temperature... are you measuring the pad surface or the ambient temperature? Heating pads don't heat the air, they work on direct contact. It doesn't really have to be that hot to the touch, my heating pad was just warm, but it was still good enough to get the chicks through the first few weeks.

I’m ordering another one. I think it’s too many too. The ambient temp in the center of the cave.