Transition from Heat Lamp to MHP

[Rick&Chris]

Did they eventually stay under?
Are their backs able to touch the pad?

@aart - They won’t even go under it.

 

[Rick&Chris]

I was considering putting the heat lamp out there, or an oil filled (completely enclosed, no fire hazard) heater - or maybe getting one of these coop heaters .... thoughts?

EDITED: I just read the reviews on this heater, it is not sufficient for brooding chicks.

 

[bobbi-j]

We had a cold front come through, along with the remnants of the hurricane and the inside temp of the coop dropped to 64 degrees. They are all up and running around, eating, drinking and pooping. Temps this weekend are supposed to be in the 50’s for a high (ugh) - do you all think I should put a little heater or the heat lamp in there? The heating pad seems to be lacking and not as warm as it was a few days ago. Last night they were all huddled in a corner, I moved them under the pad and went back to check on them 5 minutes later, they were huddled together in the same corner. See how nervous I am?!?

As long as their backs are able to touch the pad, they will be fine. You do not want to put additional heat in n there.

I put my day-old chicks out in the coop from day 1 with the MHP in April in MN. The temps ranged from the 20’s - 40’s for the first week. They’re not going to huddle under it all the time like they do with a heat lamp. They will act more like they do when raised by a hen - out running around more, only going under the MHP to warm up as needed, only huddling under it for any length of time at night. (I’ve been raising chicks for years and my MHP-raised chicks are the healthiest I’ve ever raised.) They seem to wean from the heat sooner and are just happier in general.

Let me repeat: their backs need to be able to touch the pad for it to work properly. Mine was at about 2” at the highest point when I first got the chicks. Make adjustments as needed, observe your birds and see how they act. As Aart says, as long as they don’t sound distressed, they are fine.

 

[Rick&Chris]

As long as their backs are able to touch the pad, they will be fine. You do not want to put additional heat in n there.

I put my day-old chicks out in the coop from day 1 with the MHP in April in MN. The temps ranged from the 20’s - 40’s for the first week. They’re not going to huddle under it all the time like they do with a heat lamp. They will act more like they do when raised by a hen - out running around more, only going under the MHP to warm up as needed, only huddling under it for any length of time at night. (I’ve been raising chicks for years and my MHP-raised chicks are the healthiest I’ve ever raised.) They seem to wean from the heat sooner and are just happier in general.

Let me repeat: their backs need to be able to touch the pad for it to work properly. Mine was at about 2” at the highest point when I first got the chicks. Make adjustments as needed, observe your birds and see how they act. As Aart says, as long as they don’t sound distressed, they are fine.

They are not going under the MHP at all. I peek on them well after dark, they were nowhere near it. I just put the heat lamp in to see what happen, they went under it immediately. Should I leave the heat lamp? It will be in the 40s at night

 

[aart]

Let me repeat: their backs need to be able to touch the pad for it to work properly. Mine was at about 2” at the highest point when I first got the chicks.

This is critical^^^

 

[Rick&Chris]

This is critical^^^

Touching while they’re lying down, correct?

 

[aart]

Touching while they’re lying down, correct?

Yeah, pretty much.
This is where adjustable legs really help....and having it angled from front to back,
so they can pick the spot that keeps them comfortable.
I think yours may be too high?
For day olds I set it at about 1.5-2" in back and about 3" in front.

 

[bobbi-j]

Yeah, pretty much.
This is where adjustable legs really help....and having it angled from front to back,
so they can pick the spot that keeps them comfortable.
I think yours may be too high?
For day olds I set it at about 1.5-2" in back and about 3" in front.

Me too, following aart's recommendation. I think I put mine under it the first night or so. It's new, and they're not used to it, but they'll get there. I'd take the heat lamp out.

 

[Rick&Chris]

Yeah, pretty much.
This is where adjustable legs really help....and having it angled from front to back,
so they can pick the spot that keeps them comfortable.
I think yours may be too high?
For day olds I set it at about 1.5-2" in back and about 3" in front.

Mine is about 4.5 inches in the front and 3 inches in the back

 

[aart]

View attachment 1558782


Mine is about 4.5 inches in the front and 3 inches in the back

Might be too tall, stick a couple 1x boards under there to 'raise' the floor,
since you can't lower the pad.