Questions regarding brooding chicks in winter

[Scotty from BI]

Not offputting at all, in fact just the opposite I appreciate your responses. My concern regarding the poop inside the cave is more about the build up of gases from so much poop added to their respiration by products, there is a dense population in a confined space with no air movement since only one side is exposed. Especially the ones pushed toward the back of the cave. Everyone talks about The successes of the mother hen heat pad cave, but I wonder if there are fatalities not discussed or respiration problems that evolve. A broody hen will stand up from time to time during the night which releases the build up of gases under her for her confined chicks.

I am still convinced that it is the best way to brood chicks, but wonder if perhaps there should be an opening in the back of the cave for example. I am just trying to optimize this for the birds. That's why looking underneath occasionally could be important. Anyway these are just thoughts that occur to me and I wondered. I may be making too much of nothing and I am happy to know that if that is the case.

 

[TeeMom]

Not offputting at all, in fact just the opposite I appreciate your responses. My concern regarding the poop inside the cave is more about the build up of gases from so much poop added to their respiration by products, there is a dense population in a confined space with no air movement since only one side is exposed. Especially the ones pushed toward the back of the cave. Everyone talks about The successes of the mother hen heat pad cave, but I wonder if there are fatalities not discussed or respiration problems that evolve. A broody hen will stand up from time to time during the night which releases the build up of gases under her for her confined chicks.

I am still convinced that it is the best way to brood chicks, but wonder if perhaps there should be an opening in the back of the cave for example. I am just trying to optimize this for the birds. That's why looking underneath occasionally could be important. Anyway these are just thoughts that occur to me and I wondered. I may be making too much of nothing and I am happy to know that if that is the case.

I do put a gap at the back of my MHP to allow for those huddled at the rear to be able to escape and not smother. In my experience the MHP made for a much more natural brooding process...as close to a naturally brooded bunch as you can get without a broody hen. The benefits of MHP FAR outweigh the risks.

 

[lazy gardener]

If Mama hen was brooding chicks, I'm sure they'd be pooping under her as well. I leave both the long front and back sides of my MHP open, with a bit of toweling draped down over the top. No fatalities in 3 years of using MHP for me.

 

[Naser]

Is it safe to put the heating pad in direct contact with the wood shavings below or cardboard like a cardboard box? Can the chicks damage the cord as they get bigger?

There is no reason why you should put the heating pad in contact with wood shaving, but if you do nothing will happen, it only reduces the space for the chicks, it will not catch fire. I use the one below