Surviving Minnesota!

[bobbi-j]

Woke up to ZERO degrees.

Yep. Here too.

Erli and Tfred - you lost your degrees??? We had a few of them this morning, but to be honest, I didn't look because I didn't want to know. Right now we have 30 degrees, accompanied by snow.

On another note, chicken math hit the BF. He felt bad about the lost Brahmas and was talking about ordering four more since our other chick shipment is still delayed. (He never even wanted the Brahmas!) Then he started talking about wanting to raise some turkeys this summer. Hes lost his sensibility and has gone bird crazy.

This is a very common ailment once one starts getting birds.

I found that to happen under them and they got stuck in weird places with it, then died. While the idea is great, I found the actual use of it lacking and went back to heat lamps. If you want something other than a heat lamp I suggest you try the heating "plates" they make for chickens. They sit on them. There is a thermostat built into them so they do not get too hot.....Some times the old way is just the simplest and best.

I have decided to try the MHP this year. You are the first person who has not fully endorsed them. DH is skeptical - I'm going to give it a shot. If it doesn't work, I have two nice heating pads.

Sitting in the hospital... My Great Grandma fell last night and broke her hip... At 94 that is quite a big deal...

Sorry to hear that! It is a big deal at that age. Wishing the best for her and your family.

Maybe only a few feathers. I was watching for that. I'm not super convinced yet. And with the eggs doing ok in the incubator, set for lock down on Wed, I'm not too worried.

I just like the idea of a momma hen and chick out back rather than in my attached garage.

If you do think she's broody and you leave her, just make sure to mark the eggs you give her. I draw a circle around mine so I can tell at a glance which eggs are hers, and which ones are donated by the other hens.

 

[BantyChooks]

I have decided to try the MHP this year. You are the first person who has not fully endorsed them. DH is skeptical - I'm going to give it a shot. If it doesn't work, I have two nice heating pads.

I'll bite—I'm a MHP fan. It stops me from worrywarting over fire possibilities so much, and the chicks like it better, I think. I've noted that even when quite warm some chicks try to tuck their heads under each other. I think they like that top contact, & the MHP gives them that.

They do try to commit suicide in it, though, so the frame has to be very cleanly made and padded. Dumb birds. I had a more jerryrigged frame collapse once and overheat/kill a chick. The newest version I made works quite well especially for small batches. If I were doing 25 or more chicks at a time I think I'd go back to heat lamps.

 

[duluthralphie]

I'll bite—I'm a MHP fan. It stops me from worrywarting over fire possibilities so much, and the chicks like it better, I think. I've noted that even when quite warm some chicks try to tuck their heads under each other. I think they like that top contact, & the MHP gives them that.

They do try to commit suicide in it, though, so the frame has to be very cleanly made and padded. Dumb birds. I had a more jerryrigged frame collapse once and overheat/kill a chick. The newest version I made works quite well especially for small batches. If I were doing 25 or more chicks at a time I think I'd go back to heat lamps.

Who ever raises less than 25 at a time? And. Why?

 

[BantyChooks]

Who ever raises less than 25 at a time? And. Why?

Me... and because I don't have a large enough breeding population to set more than a few eggs at a time. Plus brooder space is limited.

 

[Cebarmlds]

Sitting in the hospital... My Great Grandma fell last night and broke her hip... At 94 that is quite a big deal...

Sorry to hear that Holm, prayers to your GG and the family

 

[Cebarmlds]

Bitsy is sitting on 2 eggs now, with just a week to hatch/maybe 6 days. One of my SS is going broody and was picking on Bitsy taking over her nest. So the SS is in solitary confinement.

 

[bobbi-j]

I'll bite—I'm a MHP fan. It stops me from worrywarting over fire possibilities so much, and the chicks like it better, I think. I've noted that even when quite warm some chicks try to tuck their heads under each other. I think they like that top contact, & the MHP gives them that.
d padded. Dumb birds. I had a more jerryrigged frame collapse once and overheat/kill a chick. The newest version I made works quite well especially for small batches. If I were doing 25 or more chicks at a time I think I'd go back to heat lamps.

I am getting 28 of them next week, so I have two heating pads. DH built me one frame so far and will build another when he scrounges up more material around here. Last time I tried heat lamps, I had gotten chicks at the end of March. The temps were anywhere from the 50's during the day to the 20's at night, and I felt like I had to keep raising and lowering the lamps for them to be warm enough. (The brooder was also plenty big for them to get out of the heat if they wanted, but I still felt the need to fuss with it.) I'm hoping the MHP will be more consistent.

 

[jerryse]

I have been addicted to sunfish since I was a kid . Had to share .

 

[jerryse]

Snow is starting here . 1-3 inches predicted . So wanting the warmer temps .

 

[duluthralphie]

It is snowing here too.