Using a heating pad vs a heat lamp

[Havengrac3]

I just brought home my new baby chicks! But I am having a bit of "new mother hen" anxiety/paranoia and would appreciate some advice or feedback.
My 5 new babies are 6 days old and my research shows that they should be kept in a space that is 90-95 degrees. I decided to use a heating pad instead of a lamp for safety reasons. I placed the heating pad under the cardboard box they were picked up in which has a bed of straw and I attached it to a second bigger box that is uncovered (food and water are set up in this box). I also have a space heater that is set on high but only goes to about 85 degrees. The entire set up is in the closet so the heater can be more effective since it is a smaller area. They are very quiet and whenever I peek in to check on them they perk up and chirp a little which to me seems like they are pretty comfortable. I read somewhere that you should put the heating pad on top or even make a tunnel they can go under but it seems to be keeping them warm enough on the bottom as far as i can tell.
My main questions/concerns are :
If the chicks get too hot will they instinctually go to the cooler side of there hotel? or if they are too cold will they let me know by chirping? Im not counting on getting much sleep tonight because I want to make sure they are perfectly content which requires me to check on them about once every hour. If i could have it my way i would be cuddling them all under my blankets in bed with me so I could keep a constant close eye on them lol. Hopefully the silence means they are comfortable enough and getting some sleep. TIA.

*pics were taken earlier in the evening. All 5 are now in the covered box that says juice plus on it.

 

[sealer39]

Congratulations on your new chicks!
Yes, chicks will regulate their own temp by moving in and out of the heat source. They will chirp LOUDLY if they get uncomfortable. You’ll know it if they do. Chicks will also huddle together for warmth. ChIcks should be running around all the time eating, drinking, taking quick naps and exploring. If they are always huddled up in a corner then they may be to cold.
I have raised a few broods in a closet. What works for me is to covert the closet to the brooder instead of using a box. Those chicks will quickly out grow that box you have and will be flying all over the place. I put down cardboard or cut an empty feed bag the shape of the floor then cover it will paper towels. I then wedge a piece of chicken wire or hardware cloth in the door frame to keep them in the closet. Most closets have shelves that you can secure a light too so I use a heat lamp on one side of the closet then double secure it with a piece of chain. I keep it about 95 degrees under the lamp and the other side of the closet is room temperature so the chicks can decide how much heat they want.
There is nothing wrong with your set up as long as your chicks are eating, drinking and look comfortable. Does your heating pad have an auto shut off feature? Some do.

 

[Mvan42]

Yes they will self regulate their temperature. I don’t know much about a regular heating pad. I recently bought a chick heating pad (amazon). They little ones love it. I agree with above post they will grow out of that fast, I use a medium dog kennel but before that I used a large tote, they work great for chicks and I have also used a light with them.

 

[SueT]

At 6 days old they don't need to be in the 90's any more. 80's will suffice. If they are happily moving around and exploring, they are not too cold.
Last year was the first time I had a broody hen raise chicks. I was surprised at how !much time they spent not under her, outdoors, with pretty cool temps.

 

[Havengrac3]

Congratulations on your new chicks!
Yes, chicks will regulate their own temp by moving in and out of the heat source. They will chirp LOUDLY if they get uncomfortable. You’ll know it if they do. Chicks will also huddle together for warmth. ChIcks should be running around all the time eating, drinking, taking quick naps and exploring. If they are always huddled up in a corner then they may be to cold.
I have raised a few broods in a closet. What works for me is to covert the closet to the brooder instead of using a box. Those chicks will quickly out grow that box you have and will be flying all over the place. I put down cardboard or cut an empty feed bag the shape of the floor then cover it will paper towels. I then wedge a piece of chicken wire or hardware cloth in the door frame to keep them in the closet. Most closets have shelves that you can secure a light too so I use a heat lamp on one side of the closet then double secure it with a piece of chain. I keep it about 95 degrees under the lamp and the other side of the closet is room temperature so the chicks can decide how much heat they want.
There is nothing wrong with your set up as long as your chicks are eating, drinking and look comfortable. Does your heating pad have an auto shut off feature? Some do.

Yes it does have auto shut off. but i have been turning it back on every 2 hours and the space heater has a built in thermometer that is reading 84-86 so thats the temp of the air. I just checked on them and one moved to the uncovered side so she must have been a little warm. Thanks so much i have much more peace of mind now

 

[Havengrac3]

Yes they will self regulate their temperature. I don’t know much about a regular heating pad. I recently bought a chick heating pad (amazon). They little ones love it. I agree with above post they will grow out of that fast, I use a medium dog kennel but before that I used a large tote, they work great for chicks and I have also used a light with them.
[/QUOTE

Ok thanks! yes I have another set up i will move them into in a couple days or so. Thanks again!

 

[Havengrac3]

Yes they will self regulate their temperature. I don’t know much about a regular heating pad. I recently bought a chick heating pad (amazon). They little ones love it. I agree with above post they will grow out of that fast, I use a medium dog kennel but before that I used a large tote, they work great for chicks and I have also used a light with them.

Perfect thats what i have a tote also that they will be in soon. Thanks so much!

 

[Havengrac3]

I really appreciate all of your fast replies. Maybe i will get a few hours of sleep after all! Mind is much more at ease

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I just brought home my new baby chicks! But I am having a bit of "new mother hen" anxiety/paranoia and would appreciate some advice or feedback.
My 5 new babies are 6 days old and my research shows that they should be kept in a space that is 90-95 degrees. I decided to use a heating pad instead of a lamp for safety reasons. I placed the heating pad under the cardboard box they were picked up in which has a bed of straw and I attached it to a second bigger box that is uncovered (food and water are set up in this box). I also have a space heater that is set on high but only goes to about 85 degrees. The entire set up is in the closet so the heater can be more effective since it is a smaller area. They are very quiet and whenever I peek in to check on them they perk up and chirp a little which to me seems like they are pretty comfortable. I read somewhere that you should put the heating pad on top or even make a tunnel they can go under but it seems to be keeping them warm enough on the bottom as far as i can tell.
My main questions/concerns are :
If the chicks get too hot will they instinctually go to the cooler side of there hotel? or if they are too cold will they let me know by chirping? Im not counting on getting much sleep tonight because I want to make sure they are perfectly content which requires me to check on them about once every hour. If i could have it my way i would be cuddling them all under my blankets in bed with me so I could keep a constant close eye on them lol. Hopefully the silence means they are comfortable enough and getting some sleep.

Try not to be paranoid. Try to create an environment a mother hen would. She doesn't heat all the ambient air to 90-95. She provides one warm spot under her and the chicks spend most of their time running around outside in whatever temperature it happens to be. I've even had hens raise chicks in below freezing temperatures. When they get chilled, they run under her to warm up for a bit and then out into the cold they go.
Chicks are precocial (as opposed to altricial) birds and just aren't that fragile, especially at 6 days of age. If they huddle together during the day, they are cold. If they quietly move about, they are comfortable.
85 should be plenty warm at a week of age and may be too hot if they can't get to a cooler area.
I used a tote a couple times but found it too small for a heat lamp and too limiting.
If I have to brood indoors, I use large moving boxes available from Lowes or Home Depot for less than $1.50 each. Then if they have to stay in there longer, I just add boxes and cut doorways like you did. If I have a lot of chicks, I may use 3 boxes. 1 with food, 1 with water and 1 with the heat plate.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Making it hard on yourself with a heating pad that shuts off. The space heater (and closet, to keep them warm) isn't necessary if you can keep the heating pad going... chicks can tolerate a pretty wide range of temperatures. I last brooded outdoors where it was roughly high 50s days, 40s at night, with just the heating pad, and the chicks were perky as could be.

Quiet at night is good, means the chicks are settled in for the night.

And yes you need a much bigger brooding space soon. Add more boxes and/or bigger boxes. Once the chicks start playing they're going to send that water and food flying. Also if you don't already have a well ventilated cover (anything from a window screen to wire mesh will do) those chicks will pop out of there within the next few days.