Mama heat cave?

[Goth_RAD]

So I'll be having chicks here soon and want to brood in the coop under the poop shelf. (I can't have them in my place, and I don't think they'll do well in the shop.) But it's only up in the 40's during the day and sometimes in the 20's at night. I was thinking about doing the mama heat cave and was wondering what y'all think. I'm adding feed bags with hay stapled to the walls. The walls are plywood without installation. I wanna do all I can that won't hurt any of the chicks but also I don't trust heat lamps in the coop.

 

[Debbie292d]

Here's the original article on how to make a Mama's Heating Pad.

And another version. The most important thing is that they are able to get to the temp suggested for their age by going under it, and have a way of cooling off if they get too warm.

This is only a guideline. Even with silkies, after the first two/three weeks we jump way down usually.

The chicks will tell you. If they're all scattered everywhere, they're too hot. If they're huddled up and crying, they're cold.

 

[Goth_RAD]

Here's the original article on how to make a Mama's Heating Pad.

And another version. The most important thing is that they are able to get to the temp suggested for their age by going under it, and have a way of cooling off if they get too warm.

This is only a guideline. Even with silkies, after the first two/three weeks we jump way down usually.

The chicks will tell you. If they're all scattered everywhere, they're too hot. If they're huddled up and crying, they're cold.

View attachment 4044993

Thank you so much!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Many people here rave about that mama heat cave thing but I give my vote to the Premier 1 heat plate. Many years ago, I used infrared heat lamps but discovered I would save the cost of the heat plate in electricity with two broodings of chicks. It is easily adjustable for height as the chicks grow. If you also get the cover, they don't roost on top and it is easy to keep clean.