Transition from Heat Lamp to MHP

[bobbi-j]

I never used a heat lamp, went right to the MHP with my first bunch. What I did notice is that mine were feathered more than photos of chicks of the same age raised under a heat lamp. At 5 weeks, my CornishX are completely feathered except for a little on their heads.

I noticed that, too. I wish I hadn't waited so long to try it. But... it was new... and we always did it the other way...

 

[Rick&Chris]

So the big question for the OP is : are her chicks peeping like they are distressed, or are they just pig-piling in the corner to sleep?
We had 30 degrees this morning and the 5-week old cornish-X chicks were running around eating and drinking. A couple were sleeping out in the middle of their stall area, none were near the heating pad. Guess it is time to unplug the heat.

editted to fix age to 5 weeks - not 4-weeks old.

My girls were not sounding distressed. They were piled up and seemed quite content, and warm when I picked them up. I'll remove the heat lamp after I find some wood to build up under the MHP so that they'll be closer to the heating pad.

It does not have an auto-shut off. I was sure to check that

 

[Rick&Chris]

Holy cow, I think I'd like to move in to that pad!

I have been using a type of MHP for a few years now and will never go back. I do have one piece of advice that might be obvious to others but caused me real problems: check the temperature of the MHP WITH THE CHICKS IN IT and not while it is empty. The chicks give off their own heat, the MHP will retain some of the chick-generated heat, and the MHP will produce more heat. So if the temp in the MHP is a perfect 85% on the ground when empty (or whatever temp the chicks should be at right now) once the MHP is filled with chicks the temperature will rise and be too hot for them.

Thanks!!! They do have a great set up! Spoiled little girls!!

 

[Rick&Chris]

Did you find that yours were weaned from the heat earlier than if you had used a heat lamp? (Or have you never used a heat lamp?) That's what I noticed with mine. They didn't require heat as long as they did with the lamp. They weaned themselves off of it a lot sooner.

OP, you do have a pad that won't shut itself off, right? Some will shut off within two hours. I'm sure you checked into that, but I just wanted to be sure.

Yes, I did check to make sure the pad doesn't auto-shut off. I'll take out the lamp once I raise the floor under the MHP. The heat lamp warms the entire space, which I'm sure is not so great - they'll never acclimate to the colder weather.

 

[wyoDreamer]

If they aren't peeping in distress, BACK OFF Momma!
Just kidding, .. well sorta.
Let THEM tell you how they are doing, they know if they are cold or not. Check on them and if they are not peeping, let them be. Chickens can take cold better than being overheated.

 

[bobbi-j]

My girls were not sounding distressed. They were piled up and seemed quite content, and warm when I picked them up. I'll remove the heat lamp after I find some wood to build up under the MHP so that they'll be closer to the heating pad.

It does not have an auto-shut off. I was sure to check that

It doesn't need to be wood. What are you using for bedding? You could build that up under the pad. That's what I did. I also have adjustable legs on mine. That's very helpful.

 

[Rick&Chris]

If they aren't peeping in distress, BACK OFF Momma!
Just kidding, .. well sorta.
Let THEM tell you how they are doing, they know if they are cold or not. Check on them and if they are not peeping, let them be. Chickens can take cold better than being overheated.

I know! I am 100% sure that I am overthinking this ... LOL! I just worry, they're so little and I want them to be comfy and happy! I removed the heat lamp, raised up the floor under the MHP. Supposed to be 46 degrees overnight ... I hope they figure it out soon!

Thank you all for your valued input and expertise!!!

 

[bobbi-j]

I know! I am 100% sure that I am overthinking this ... LOL! I just worry, they're so little and I want them to be comfy and happy! I removed the heat lamp, raised up the floor under the MHP. Supposed to be 46 degrees overnight ... I hope they figure it out soon!

Thank you all for your valued input and expertise!!!

You are... . Check on them tonight, see how they're doing. I checked for a few nights, too. I just couldn't believe how easy it was, and how quickly they adapted. Once you get comfortable with this, you won't want to go back to a lamp.

 

[aart]

I know! I am 100% sure that I am overthinking this ... LOL! I just worry, they're so little and I want them to be comfy and happy! I removed the heat lamp, raised up the floor under the MHP. Supposed to be 46 degrees overnight ... I hope they figure it out soon!

Thank you all for your valued input and expertise!!!

You're OK, hang in there....it is nerve wracking, especially if it's your first batch of chicks.

 

[Rick&Chris]

It doesn't need to be wood. What are you using for bedding? You could build that up under the pad. That's what I did. I also have adjustable legs on mine. That's very helpful.

I put a 1" board underneath covered in a puppy pee pad. It is now approx 3" above the new floor. And I use mini pine shavings.