Pulled the trigger. Arrival: Next week

[Counting chickens]

That's a problem with an overheated brooder. The chicks can fall asleep wherever they are, feeling no need to go to the heat source. The OP is using a mama heating pad so his chicks should be returning to it to sleep. Anywhere else at such a young age would be a warning sign of lethargy. In a couple weeks, they may start sleeping on top, only halfway under, or around the entrance. That's a sign you can turn the heat down a notch.

The brooder is at about 75 out from under the pad. I noticed a couple dozing (standing up) closing their eyes a little more each time, like a sleep child. But these were the sturdier ones...

 

[debid]

The brooder is at about 75 out from under the pad. I noticed a couple dozing (standing up) closing their eyes a little more each time, like a sleep child. But these were the sturdier ones...

I guess I wouldn't worry about a quick nap. I think you'll be able to tell if there's anything abnormal going on. It's just never that warm where/when I'm starting mine so I don't see that behavior at all. They tuck under fully for at least the first week even if they only warm up there for a minute before charging out again to play

I also noticed that some seemed to want more heat than others even though they were the same age. My little yellow chipmunk EE was super quick on the heat reduction and wanted to move to the freezing cold roost at 3 weeks. The rest weren't so sure so she patiently slept on the floor near the opening until they followed her up and stayed there at dusk.

 

[Counting chickens]

The 5 buff Orps are the light tan ones with pink legs. The 5 Ameraucanas (Easter Eggers) have greenish legs and probably also sport puffs on their cheeks -- they could be any color. The five that are left are your mystery chicks. It's a lot easier to ID them after they feather but it can be fun guessing at any point.

Are the EE's the ones colored like a bobcat or something? stripes, spots..lol

 

[debid]

Are the EE's the ones colored like a bobcat or something? stripes, spots..lol

They can be. Most EEs start off as chipmunks but they can be literally any color or pattern and are usually heterozygous for a number of traits making them wildly variable in appearance.

 

[debid]

I've gotten about a dozen so far on three separate occasions from a local micro hatchery and not one has looked like another! To me, that's part of the fun.

 

[debid]

• debid
• Apr 23, 2011

• debid
• May 16, 2011

• debid
• Jun 15, 2011

This one had no stripes -- just shades of tan and gray through her down like she'd been painted with watercolors.

 

[lazy gardener]

Best to lay heating pad flat and low enough they can get under and put there back against the pad. They could get stuck in a tunnel, unless I'm misunderstanding.

Here's how I did it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

Aart gives excellent advice. I also had concerns about your tunnel configuration. That they are not going in it tells me that the interior is too warm. And it can be a trap. If one is in the middle and an other is blocking her exit, she can't exit and can actually get killed from being too warm. The MHP brooder must be designed so that the chicks can ALL easily enter and exit without being blocked by a traffic jam of chicks in front of them. An other concern I have is your duct tape. I once used some electrical tape to secure the pad to the bottom of my wire frame. A chick got stuck between tape and pad, like a little tar baby. If I had not checked under the pad, I'd not have found her and surely she'd have died if left in that state for any length of time.

Consider the design of a MHP cave: Would you feel safe putting it in a crib with a new born baby? If the answer is yes, then it is safe for your chicks. It must not have any places that could cause entrapment. No sharp edges, nothing that can be pulled off and eaten. No spot for a little head or foot to get stuck.

 

[lazy gardener]

I love EE!!!

 

[Counting chickens]

They can be. Most EEs start off as chipmunks but they can be literally any color or pattern and are usually heterozygous for a number of traits making them wildly variable in appearance.

Chipmunk! That's it!!!

 

[Counting chickens]

Aart gives excellent advice. I also had concerns about your tunnel configuration. That they are not going in it tells me that the interior is too warm. And it can be a trap. If one is in the middle and an other is blocking her exit, she can't exit and can actually get killed from being too warm. The MHP brooder must be designed so that the chicks can ALL easily enter and exit without being blocked by a traffic jam of chicks in front of them. An other concern I have is your duct tape. I once used some electrical tape to secure the pad to the bottom of my wire frame. A chick got stuck between tape and pad, like a little tar baby. If I had not checked under the pad, I'd not have found her and surely she'd have died if left in that state for any length of time.

Consider the design of a MHP cave: Would you feel safe putting it in a crib with a new born baby? If the answer is yes, then it is safe for your chicks. It must not have any places that could cause entrapment. No sharp edges, nothing that can be pulled off and eaten. No spot for a little head or foot to get stuck.

No, usually just a few venture out at a time. They definitely go in, and stay put, but you are right that the ones in the back would be hard pressed to push their way out...
I had planned on revamping it saturday. I'll feel better about it as I am going to be at the fair for load-in almost all day Sunday...