Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder (Picture Heavy) - UPDATE

SandyRiverChick said:

Chicks are so different. I've had batches that were done with MHP by week 3 or 4, eh I don't need that thing... But THIS batch, good grief, absolutely addicted to it. I've added "extension legs" when they get tallish in the past. But these ladies still wanted MHP at 9weeks! So I resorted to this... draping it over the wooden crate (heat is low.) I worried at first that that this could be like training them to sleep in nest boxes but thankfully a few of them were already preferring the roost out in front. Finally MHP has been put away until next time but it made me wonder what everyone else does when they start to outgrow it but it's still cold at night and they look like the leaning tower of Piza all packed on and under it...
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SandyRiverChick said:

Chicks are so different. I've had batches that were done with MHP by week 3 or 4, eh I don't need that thing... But THIS batch, good grief, absolutely addicted to it. I've added "extension legs" when they get tallish in the past. But these ladies still wanted MHP at 9weeks! So I resorted to this... draping it over the wooden crate (heat is low.) I worried at first that that this could be like training them to sleep in nest boxes but thankfully a few of them were already preferring the roost out in front. Finally MHP has been put away until next time but it made me wonder what everyone else does when they start to outgrow it but it's still cold at night and they look like the leaning tower of Piza all packed on and under it...
View attachment 3182307

Click to expand...

janiedoe said:

I love your coop!
It must be much cooler there.
My mama hen had her chicks roosting at 2 and 3 weeks.
It's so hot here that she just layed beside her eggs during the day, and she still hatched 5 of 6. I'm not kidding.

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SandyRiverChick said:

Chicks are so different. I've had batches that were done with MHP by week 3 or 4, eh I don't need that thing... But THIS batch, good grief, absolutely addicted to it. I've added "extension legs" when they get tallish in the past. But these ladies still wanted MHP at 9weeks! So I resorted to this... draping it over the wooden crate (heat is low.) I worried at first that that this could be like training them to sleep in nest boxes but thankfully a few of them were already preferring the roost out in front. Finally MHP has been put away until next time but it made me wonder what everyone else does when they start to outgrow it but it's still cold at night and they look like the leaning tower of Piza all packed on and under it...
View attachment 3182307

Click to expand...