MHP Construction Method?

[Hufflefluff]

Hello!
I'm getting a new batch of chicks early March, and after much reading I've decided to switch to using the Mama Heating Pad for brooding them. I'll probably put it all together in the next week or two, and I wanted to hear what method you all would recommend. The two main ones that I've seen are those like Blooie's https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/ where a wire frame is made into a hoop, with the pad over that so it's like a warm cave, and those like this one https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/ where it's a heat plate set up- bungeed flat against a wire rack and placed low to the ground.
Is there a 'better' method? I will have ten chicks, and have the small Sunbeam heating pad (12 x 15 in). Space in the brooder will not be an issue. I'd love to hear about which one you guys used/ preferred, as well as any sort of experience or recommendations.

Also, my grandmother recently gave me a lot of shrunken, felted wool sweaters- I'm planning to use them to line a huddle box when I move the chicks out the coop at 8 ish weeks, but if there's anything else I could use them for (for chickens) I'd love to hear it- I know wool is excellent at retaining heat, so would there be any merit to using it with the MHP in the brooder? Just brainstorming

Thank you for any contributions!

 

[NNYchick]

Hello!
I'm getting a new batch of chicks early March, and after much reading I've decided to switch to using the Mama Heating Pad for brooding them. I'll probably put it all together in the next week or two, and I wanted to hear what method you all would recommend. The two main ones that I've seen are those like Blooie's https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/ where a wire frame is made into a hoop, with the pad over that so it's like a warm cave, and those like this one https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/ where it's a heat plate set up- bungeed flat against a wire rack and placed low to the ground.
Is there a 'better' method? I will have ten chicks, and have the small Sunbeam heating pad (12 x 15 in). Space in the brooder will not be an issue. I'd love to hear about which one you guys used/ preferred, as well as any sort of experience or recommendations.

Also, my grandmother recently gave me a lot of shrunken, felted wool sweaters- I'm planning to use them to line a huddle box when I move the chicks out the coop at 8 ish weeks, but if there's anything else I could use them for (for chickens) I'd love to hear it- I know wool is excellent at retaining heat, so would there be any merit to using it with the MHP in the brooder? Just brainstorming

Thank you for any contributions!

I did the pseudo brooder plate. I didn’t get fancy with the wood. I just used threaded rod with a washer and nut on top and bottom of the wire rack. This is not my picture but what I used as an example to make mine.

I put a piece of cardboard on top of the wire so the chicks could walk on the top and help stabilize the washer and nut. This is mine. I started out with fleece on top, now they spend more time on top I have taken the fleece off and use puppy pee pads, so when they are soiled I can just take off.

The treaded rods are very easy to adjust height.
I don’t have any experience with wool or huddle boxes. I wouldn’t put stripes wool with heating pad as it might get too warm, the heating pad keeps them toasty. I can’t believe how fast I’ve had to decrease the heating pad. Mine are 3 weeks old and I have the pad on low. The room they are in is 50’s and I have started to open the window in there to acclimate them to colder temperature. My plan is to move them and MHP out to the coop next weekend at 4 weeks. My out door temperatures are 20’s during day and single digits at night. I couldn’t be happier with this method of brooding chicks.

 

[ChickNanny13]

This is my "version" of MHP ... 1/2" x 1" welded wire shaped with flannel blanket wrapped, held together with small bungee cords. I also added towels over the top, for easy removal & washing. Not sure about the wool sweaters, my concern would be them getting their toes caught & eating too much fiber.

 

[TomZilla43]

following

 

[pennyJo1960]

I made my tunnel from hardware cloth bent also as they grow I have a dollar store laundry basket I am able to make an opening easily

 

[aart]

I will have ten chicks, and have the small Sunbeam heating pad (12 x 15 in).

With this sized pad and 10 chicks, I'd go flat....
...will function better than a cave with that number of chicks.
Of course I am biased
...and think flat with adjustable legs is more functional in any case.

 

[moniquem]

In that last picture, the grey chickie all the way to the left, laying over his buddy, totally crashed out, is hilarious!

 

[ChickNanny13]

I never noticed it before I had another frame that was higher for when they out grew this. Amazed at how quiet & calm they were.

 

[TattooedChicks]

With my Bantam chicks, I’ve simply taken to putting the heating pad flat on the floor or shallow basket in an old pillow case with another pillow case draped over the top like a tent. I keep a small old teddy in the middle for cuddles when the chicks are very little. But I’ve never bothered with constructing a hoop or anything when they seem just fine sleeping on top of the warm pad.

 

[ChickNanny13]

With my Bantam chicks, I’ve simply taken to putting the heating pad flat on the floor or shallow basket in an old pillow case with another pillow case draped over the top like a tent. I keep a small old teddy in the middle for cuddles when the chicks are very little. But I’ve never bothered with constructing a hoop or anything when they seem just fine sleeping on top of the warm pad.

Love the idea of an "old teddy".