MHP (Mama Heating Pad) Question

[46hillbilly]

How about a Flat panel heater with a racking or lift-able support for comfort adjusting??

 

[Blooie]

I don't like anything but the wire frame (made with a bit of wire fencing) the pad, and the towel covering. Keeping it as simple as possible is the key for me. Need it higher, just pull up on the center of the fencing. Need it lower? Just smoosh down the center.

There is another way to do this, posted by @aart and she has done a great job of explaining it with photos. She has adjustable legs on hers and is very happy with them. Here is the link:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/862691/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate

 

[junebuggena]

I wonder if a foil top cover or a aluminum cookie sheet would reflect heat downward from the top of the pad? too hot on the pad that way? Questions keep growing, lol.

Missing the point. The way the heating pad works is by chicks coming into direct contact with the heat source. The chicks choose just how much contact with the heat they need, just like they would if raised by a broody hen. This is not an ambient heating method.

 

[Blooie]

Missing the point. The way the heating pad works is by chicks coming into direct contact with the heat source. The chicks choose just how much contact with the heat they need, just like they would if raised by a broody hen. This is not an ambient heating method.

Yep, and I should have said that, too. Shame on me!

 

[haunani]

If you haven't bought your heating pad yet, think ahead to the future. Once you brood chicks under the MHP system, I promise you will never go back to a heat lamp. If you anticipate adding to your flock in the future with perhaps double the number of chicks as this first time, I would go ahead and get the large pad so you will be set for future chicken math attacks.

Fortunately (or unfortunately), I'm limited on both coop and land space for chickens, so I do have to be careful of my numbers. Once we move in a few years, we'll have the land, THEN I can fully appreciate chicken math!

 

[ShannonO]

@Blooie you are so helpful and giving of your time and typing! I am trying to build a MHP now. Was hoping to use hardware mesh (because I don't have fencing on hand), but I haven't figured out how to keep it in place.

Do the chicks poop under the MHP? I ask because I was thinking of stapling the cloth down in the wooden 4'x4'x2' brooder.

 

[Blooie]

Yep, they are just like the adults, Shannon. They sleep and poop all at the same time, so I wouldn't recommend anything under there that you can't pull out and replace, or at least replenish with a fresh layer. Folks have used of things for MHP frames - cookie cooling racks, wire shelving thingies from Walmart (that's a technical term specific to Mama Heating Pad) and the like. Hardware cloth doesn't seem to have enough substance on it's own to support the weight of the pad, the bungee cords (if you are using them) and the chicks tussling around on there, but a few people have made them work by attaching them to wood on each side.

 

[debid]

 Fortunately (or unfortunately), I'm limited on both coop and land space for chickens, so I do have to be careful of my numbers.  Once we move in a few years, we'll have the land, THEN I can fully appreciate chicken math!

I made the small pad because I was only getting 5 chicks (although I ended up with 6...) There's plenty of room underneath! It's as big as a hen could cover so the chick capacity ought to be similar.

I figured that if I someday convinced DH that we need another, bigger coop and more chickens because I want to get into the egg business or meat production, then I can build the bigger pad. It's not so difficult or costly to construct that you need to plan years ahead. Besides, should that day come, I'd still have the original coop and might have need of two pads so I can brood two separate groups...

 

[aart]

Do the chicks poop under the MHP? I ask because I was thinking of stapling the cloth down in the wooden 4'x4'x2' brooder.

Yes, yes indeed they do!
I put an upside down dog crate tray under my mhp.
Set it on bricks above coop bedding.
Was easy to clear off and fit perfect to keep the legs stable.

 

[ShannonO]

@aart. @Blooie well that was certainly a silly question from me.

I fashioned my first MHP attempt this afternoon.

Didn't do nearly as good a job on the press and seal as Blooie. I need to find a dish towel rather than bath towel. Also need to drop over the front.

Any tips or cautions?