If you want to know more about chickens, quail, and goats, The Happy Chicken Coop is the place to be! This is one of those chicken topics where everyone has an opinion, and their opinion is always right! Should I be concerned about heating her coop this winter? There are thousands of inexpensive chicken coop heaters out there, but you shouldnt rush to invest in a cheap product. The Sweeter Heater is a great choice for anyone with lots of chickens to keep warm that needs a consistent heat output. It is durable enough to withstand pecking and other usual wear and tear. Brooder lamps get extremely hot, and chicken coops are filled with flammable materials: feathers, straw and wood. We live in WA State and it is rarely dropping below 30 degrees in the evenings, so I am perplexed why our large Sweeter Heater panel is barely generating any heat. My question is what temperatures will this unit withstand and for how long, before it runs to long and will burn out? Temperature can not be manually adjusted. The more reputable a brand is, the more likely you are to be purchasing a safe, tested machine. I would recommend getting the first one for the 30 to 40 chicks while the free shipping offer is running and go from there. Your email address will not be published. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. While we feeble humans are dressed in four layers of clothing before we even get out of bed, chickens will be up and positively happy while the mercury slides ever downward. These heaters are used to provide heat in the chicken coop. We use a noncontact thermometer to measure the temperature of the unit. let CurrentYear = new Date().getFullYear() These chickens are weaker due to old age (or sickness) and it may be difficult for them to keep warm and healthy throughout the winter months. The piglets will tell you where the comfort zone is. My coop is 3-5 and would need a "side mount" version of the sweeter heater (the roosting bar is too close to the peak of the roof) . Chicks need much more heat than adult birds. Although many chicken breeds are very friendly and accepting, chicken bullying does exist. In preparation for the colder months, chickens will molt, growing in a new set of feathers to keep them warm and insulated during those bitterly cold months right after the winter solstice. I may try lining there cedar shiplaped walls with cardboard. A: The only difference is where the power cord comes out of the heater. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. I only turned it on when it got below 20 degrees and it just took the edge off, which was just fine. In particular, their combs, wattles, and feet are at risk of cold damage due to their lack of feathers. This is important when choosing a heater in case your chickens decide to huddle up against the heaters surface. Take special precautions to ensure that the unit cannot be allowed to fall with its heating surface enclosed. Q: Our new heater arrived yesterday and my husband installed it in our chicken coop today. I think the chicks will do well in the environment you are describing. It has a tent style roof which is height adjustable. What size Sweeter Heater would I need for this one? As they got older they decided to roost on the roost in the run which is covered with hardware cloth, and a roof. If they are new hatchlings, they need to be kept in brooder conditions. Current panel heights range from 12 inches for the youngest chicks (3 weeks old and the largest group with 33 chicks) to 18 inches for the oldest (5 weeks old and the smallest group with 20 chicks) with ambient temperatures in the mid-40s. It rarely gets below 30 degrees, but just in case we wanted to get a coop warmer. Coop De Chickenville~My Favorite Chickens and Life, Current Social Media Chicken Feed Craze - posted testing results. Could they be outside in the dead of winter? The ups and downs of shopping the web Mare's Illegal Cute-ness (Call Duck) Chat Thread!! Keep in mind that it'll need to be mounted relatively close to where your flock roosts in order to be of benefit to them, as even the largest size won't appreciably increase the ambient temperature of a very large volume of air (a large shed, say). I like the sweeter heater as it is made for animal use and seems a bit sturdier than the Cozy Legs. Required fields are marked *, .runr-copyright { The birds will tell you where the heater should be placed as you observe them. Well-made. It is strongly recommended that you provide sick and older chickens with a heater. No frostbite on any of them. Please let me know your thoughts ASAP, as I would need to order the ducks before it is too late for this hatching season. Resembles a computer Monitor. We have 5 barred rock hens they are a year and a half old. Radiates a calming warmth. Disclosure: We may earn affiliate commissions at no cost to you from the links on this page. Make sure there arent any drafts too. Not that I want it to be hot in the coop, but just above freezing. This is a lamp style heater that is suspended from the ceiling. Perfect for chicken coops or other pet houses. It should not go below 32F, but it doesnt need to be any higher than 40F. Thanks for your patience! The winter can get very cold and damp here in PA but its the high winds that really make it dip. ). But its not quite so simple. Each environment is a little different, so you will want to be set up so you can observe the chicks. The Cozy Safe Chicken Heater is a great choice for those looking for a compact and easy-to-use heater for the chicken coop. It has a peck-resistant design that is ideal for coops or runs with lots of curious birds. I dont want to use a heater, what else can I do? The Thermo-Perch is, without a doubt, one of the most out-of-the-box ways to heat your chicken coop. Old-timers will tell you that you dont have to heat the coop. If you have any questions about chicken coop heaters please leave a comment in the comments section below. Some chicken coop heaters are very large and designed to heat an entire room. It does not warm up the entire room but instead warms any chickens that happen to stand near it. The Cozy Products CL Safe Chicken Coop Heater is another essential chicken coop heater for you to consider. There is a lot of information and pictures from customers on our website and several application pictures on our Facebook page you may want to check out at www.sweeterheater.com. . As long as the unit is positioned so the heat can escape there is no danger. Sweeter Heaters, on the other hand, are well-constructed in the USA, and come with a three year warranty against defects in material or workmanship. Each chicken will put out a level of warmth equivalent to a 10 watt light bulb! Chick Heating Plates max out at 125 degrees F. Sweeter Heaters max out at 185 degrees F. Chick Heating Plates have an adjustable stand and don't require being hung or mounted. The chicks will absorb the rays and be quite comfortable as long as the heater is set up correctly. It can be fixed to a wall or left free-standing. You can place your hand on the surface and see how long you can hold it there, you will remove you hand before you can burn it. OUR TOP PICKS. Thankfully, theres a solution that avoids all these problems and comes with plenty of extra benefits too: the Sweeter Heater. The surface temperature is much hotter than the Ecoglo which makes the Sweeter Heater much more versatile. This increases the chance of frostbite to birds with large combs and wattles. Very sturdy and durable. If the piglets The biggest danger of using a chicken coop heater is the chance of fire. Fully feathered chicks should be fine without heat. By observing the birds you will be surprised at how quickly you are able to tell which level is best. We started out with 60 watt incandescent bulbs, which turned out to contribute too much heat, so we switched to 15 watt soft white appliance bulbs and they are just right. The more bedding the better, as it will help with insulation and prevent moisture buildup. Your chickens will eat the insulation. This is ideal for those who require a constant and consistent source of heat to warm their chickens. Chickens who prefer to be warmer can move closer to the heater and when they are warm enough, they can move away from it to cool down. It has a heating pad, too, making it safer than your typical electrical brooder lamp. Thank you very much. The name isnt all that matters when it comes to the best chicken coop heaters, but its a factor. Its heating mechanism is internally controlled by a high-tech thermostat. Could they be outside in the dead of winter? Best of all there are a variety of styles with many different features to suit your unique needs. The Cozy Products Heater is inexpensive and energy-efficient, so you save money throughout the year. I like the sweeter heater as it is made for animal use and seems a bit sturdier than the Cozy Legs. Any heater should automatically turn off after a certain amount of time. As long as it is connected to a The RANKING LIST | SORT BY SCORES. Your hens may have a low body temperature or hypothermia. If you have a drafty or colder environment you will want to have it closer to them. Make the coop smaller. We set up four brooding units, side by side. . BOEESPAT Ceramic Heat Emitter. A: I dont think you need to worry at all about the surface temperature of the heater suspended. Pros Reasonable pricing Weak wattage Long cable Self-regulating Nose-proof cord Cons No automatic shutdown Fiada Chicken Coop Heater - Best Price Weight: 2.64 kg Voltage: 120V Length of Cord: 9' 8" . Compare Products. They are two entirely separate things! This is the second winter in New Hampshire for them. As the chicks grow you may want to raise the heater to keep them comfortable. New Cozy Coop flat panel heater is the perfect small space heater for chicken coops. The perch has undergone the most rigorous testing in MET laboratories in the United States. heating your pigs if properly installed according to directions. To stop overheating you should make sure your coop has good ventilation. Side Mount Model Also are there any parts that have to be replaced over time? Heating the coop has always been a source of endless discussion among chicken folk. Infrared heat is one of the safest types of heat, as it doesnt use any fire=prone lamps or bulbs. I have a few questions . There is a large variety of shapes, designs, and prices to choose from. CIRCULATION: Heated perch warms the entire body utilizing the bird's own Offers a natural heating mechanism without taking up too much space, Has a tendency to turn off on its own overnight, Heating style mimics the effect of a mother hen. Even if the coop does not catch on fire, it can cause chickens to overheat and become dehydrated. We live in WA State and it is rarely dropping below 30 degrees in the evenings, so I am perplexed why our large Sweeter Heater panel is barely generating any heat. For years people relied on brooder lamps alone. Overall what would you say is the lowest safe temperature for chicks to be in under this heater? I will link below. Are you able to hook up a thermostat? You should make sure that the chicken coop heater is installed properly and securely fixed. Look for a heater that has bonus features like a tip-over shut-off switch or guards to prevent dust from getting into the heating elements. Today we will get into the nitty-gritty of chicken coop heaters, chick heaters/brooders, and explain your options, when heating is necessary, FAQs, and much more. They are safe and inexpensive to use and are also easy to install. If you have chicks that are still feathering out, try to maintain their ambient temperature at around 60-65F until fully feathered, then turn off the heat. There are several extra ways to keep your chickens warm: giving them different feeds, bunching the flock together and insulating the chicken coop. The mom-and-pop manufacturer is so sure of their product, they offer a three year warranty against defects in material and workmanship. You may need to use them time after time, and if you have a safe and reliable unit, you can sleep easier at night. Please remember, though, if you use one of these plates, the brooding area must be draft proof that the chicks may chill and die despite your heater. Q: I want to use this for my hedgehog and since I'm a little nervous about leaving any heat source on while I'm not home how safe is this? We live in Alaska and out day time temps can drop to -20 for days if not weeks at a time. An infrared heater can be quite expensive, ut it often comes with a warranty in order to provide some longevity. There are plenty of heating options on the market, but not all of them are appropriate for your chicken coop, even if they claim to be. I have four who have decided to start molting in the last couple of days. This heater works in a unique manner, transferring heat from one chicken to another as long as they are in close proximity to the heater. Cozy Products CL Cozy Safe Chicken Coop Heater - Best Overall; 2. (You'd have to try pretty darn hard to break one!). This makes it easy for you to adjust the heat to a comfortable level for the chickens. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for SWEETER HEATER Safe Heater for Chicks, Coops, & . As a rule of thumb, you must remember that it is not necessary for you to keep the coop at tropical temperatures. The largest Chick Heating Plate can accommodate 40 chicks, but doesn't have enough space underneath to accommodate grown chickens (using it in their coop for winter, for instance), whereas the largest Sweeter Heater can accommodate 100 chicks and grown chickens of all heights. However, in some cases, a chicken heater might not make sense. It also needs to be out of the way for flying birds! Seems like it might not have the guff for -20 degree weather in WI? The Brinsea EcoGlow Brooder is a great option if you are hatching and raising chicks. Energy-efficient - uses just 200 watts Surface heats up to 170F ETL Certified Zero-Clearance item Radiant heater Improves comfort & work performance Quiet & discreet Convenient in-cord switch gives fingertip control Built-in thermal protector Applications Although it does not have an adjustable heat setting, the strength of the heat can be adjusted based on how high or low you choose to hang the heater. Chickens need to get out of drafty areas as the draft will compromise their ability to keep warm. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. An infrared heater automatically shuts itself off when the desired temperature is reached. I am curious Warden which you think throws out more heat. . Even when you think its downright frigid outside, that doesnt mean that your chickens are suffering. Take them into a warm place for a few hours and see if they improve. In the past, brooder lamps were one of the best solutions for chicken coop heating. Last update on 2022-09-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. I hope you will be able to be patient with the unit and let it cure out. They were, after all, bred to survive in hot, humid climates. Best Chicken Coop Heaters to Keep the Coop Cozy. The fact that the Sweeter Heater is suspended and Thanks, We have a whole article series on keeping chickens in winter. If so can you recommend one. Most flat panel heaters will have thermometers built in so they will come on/off automatically. We also found that - based on years of using heat lamps - we had to raise the panels more quickly than we expected, and during the day we opened vents to let some of the heat escape, even in cool weather. $10 off per unit plus free shipping with promo code: Sweet22 (within the continental US only). Since this is not a light fuel, it is important that you get to know what exactly are you using it for before making a purchase. Does not have indicator lights to distract your chickens, Has a mounting system for overhead suspension, Chickens tend to use it as a perch and will poop on it. Since chickens lose most of their body heat from their feet, this perch allows your birds to warm up by moving heat from the feet to the rest of the body. Either naturally, or if a flighty chicken crashes into it. You dont need to block every single hole into the coop, though. As I don't expect it to heat the whole coop I was thinking about mounting it behind the roosts to help take the chill off during the winter. I used the flat panel heater in the big (7x7) coop with a thermocube. Thank you for the idea. Q: My concern is the 185 degree surface temp. Know Your Chickens is a free resource dedicated to teaching backyard chicken owners more about their flock. They are specifically designed with small and enclosed spaces in mind which means they are suitable for chicken coops. It is a perfect match for those in large and small chicken coops. A thermostatically controlled perch, this heated bar is perfect for warming up chili chicken feet. Chick Heating Plates, like the Sweeter Heater, are an excellent alternative to a 250-watt, infrared heat bulb. This heater is not designed to heat an entire coop, but to only warm the air closest to it. It does not need to be expensive you can even use cardboard! I Live in WI and it can get -20 to -30 degrees here in the dead of winter. Again like the brooder lamp, I really dont recommend this as it is a fire hazard. The Sweeter Heater comes with chains and three "S" hooks but does not include mounting hardware for the overhead mount unit. I am possibly interested in one of your heaters for day old chicks and other fowl. Your email address will not be published. See our article on coop ventilation here. In the market for a new chicken coop heater? As you might have guessed from their name, this ducks color matches the black and white of a European Magpie. Beware!!! roughly the same temperature as our body heat, also the reason that it does not feel hot. Others are relatively small and are small heating plates these are perfect for smaller coops. does not get hot to the touch? It is not good for them or your cash flow! ZOLIMX Energy Efficient Space Heater for Chicken Coops. Yes, sometimes you'll find that your hens like to jump atop the (overhead mount) Sweeter Heater and leave a not-so-sweet mess! As a firefighter I am all too familiar with the dangers of the heat lamp, yet I continue to use one as I did not know there was a better choice. 90. It is less expensive than just about any other type of heater, but it costs more to run it. First let me say that my husband is a trained engineer. This did not affect our assessment of products. Use a little it of foam board or some shredded newspaper to provide a nice, warm environment for your chickens. Using a Sweeter Heater, you'll save from $3-$5 per week on your electricity bill vs. an infrared 250-watt heat bulb. Each is 34" across the front and 4' deep. Here are some of the factors you should consider. We are in the process of discovering what adjustments are involved with the Sweeter Heaters. Some key features that you may want to keep in mind when choosing a heater include: safety features, heating capabilities and ease of installation. These ducks are dual purpose and are best known for laying stunning green or blue eggs. We have even made a tool to help you find your perfect chicken. We use one called the Lux Win 100 5-2 programmable outlet thermostat. The heaters must be returned in like new resalable condition. SWEETER HEATER Safe Heater for Chicks, Coops, & Animals, OH11x40, 150 Watt, K&H Pet Products Thermo-Peep Heated Pad Tan Petite 9 X 12 Inches, Cozy Products CL Cozy Safe Chicken Coop Heater 200 Watts Safer Than Brooder Lamps, One Size, Black, K&H Pet Products Thermo-Chicken Heated Perch Gray 36" 55W, Rooster Spurs: Everything You Need to Know, Chicken Wormers: Best Types & How to Use Them, Greater Scaup: Identification and Behaviors, Hooded Merganser: Identification and Behaviors, Dabbling Duck Species: Everything You Need to Know, 22 Types of Ducks: Behaviors and Appearances. They are well equipped for an expedition outside the coop, a cozy set of feathers insulating them against the arctic air. I stumbled upon your product quite by accident. It is small and compact which makes it perfect for smaller chicken coops. Although most chicken breeds are perfectly capable of keeping themselves warm, their small bodies are put under strain to provide body heat. Outside around the coop is acceptable, although it will attract vermin. You can place your hand on the surface and see how long you can hold it there, you will remove you hand before you can burn it. Its a lot like huddling under the wings of a mother hen, except you dont have to worry about the mothering instincts of your chickens! Just to note, the part number of the heater is pretty much the size of the unit, for example the OH1140 is 11 inches wide and 40 inches long. As with any electric heating device, special precautions must be taken: Designed, sourced and assembled in the USA! Your email address will not be published. Caution should also be taken to avoid overheating your chickens in the coop. Claire. whose backs average about 10 inches high when standing I would suspend the heater 16 to 20 inches It can be fitted to a wall or even lift free-standing. The Overhead (OH) Mount Sweeter Heater is safe, energy efficient, indestructible, and reliable. This can be fatal and kill chickens. Would this heater work to keep days old chicks warm enough when the temperature dips into the 40s at night? I am worried about the ladies! It is 12 degrees this morning in my chicken coop, and the temp is supposed to get down to 0 this week. The walls of a coop may block the worst of the winds and keep snow from blowing in, but during prolonged periods of below-freezing weather, that may not be enough. When it gets really cold we wrap the whole coop and run with tarps. Lightbulb-powered heater are especially dangerous as the lightbulb may suddenly go out. That Sweeter Heater looks interesting and I like the idea that it's made here, too. It is much more noticeable in poorly ventilated areas. This section is being rewritten. I would suggest maybe an open ended box or something if the weather is in the 40 degree range. themselves, at least no more than with any other electrical appliance. What is the easiest way to return and get a refund on my purchase? You might notice that these chickens have a difficult time adapting to a cool climate. Response and follow up question from customer asking original question: You must ensure that it is well secured and cannot fall and come into contact with combustible materials. https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/keeping-chickens-warm-during-winter/ Is there a concern with dust, or stray feather or piece of straw getting into it and igniting? As far as how many heaters do you need, this will depend on the size of your coop, how many chickens you have and the type of heater. You dont need to add a ton of insulation to your chicken coop, but you should do your best to eliminate drafts. These breeds just dont have enough feather coverage to shield them from the cold. You may want to raise it as the chicks grow. K&H Thermo-Peep Heated Pad is a great option for those looking for a well-rounded chick heater. I didnt' want it to get too warm in the coop or else the chickens wouldn't go out in the run. -I would like to raise the birds in the barn instead of my garage. There are very few occasions in which a chicken coop heater is actually necessary. Brinsea EcoGlow Safety 600 Chick and Duckling Brooder - Premium Choice; 4. For each breed we describe their temperament and egg laying ability so you can find your perfect chicken. brooders, in addition to thousands of chicken and pet applications and we have never had anyone Q: My concern is the 185 degree surface temp. An efficient product, it all but eliminates the risk of fire in your chicken brooder. Thanks, Hi Candi, As the name implies, this brooder is energy-efficient and requires minimal electricity to operate. Q: I purchased your OH 1140 heater for warming baby pigs and it doesn't put out much heat. It even has an indicator light so that you will know it is working. The heater maintains a consistent operational temperature of 130 degrees. This is a great feature for those concerned about their chickens overheating and becoming dehydrated in the coop. It is very difficult to measure the radiant heat generated by the heaters with a thermometer. At times I have as many as 100. The maximum panel height is 28 inches (limited by the brooder roof, which keeps in heat and keeps out predators). I would recommend that you look on our Applications Page of our website and read the following information from Gail Damerow, who has published several books on brooding chickens. Below we have pulled together a list of over 100 chicken breeds. No, heat is not the problem. You can get insulation panels from any local hardware store. I know I'm talking to myself here, but I know eventually someone will jump in. The heaters are completely sealed and easy to clean or disinfect. ground fault outlet like you would use in your bathroom it is much safer than any other heater that I No bulbs to replace. I wish I would have known about your heaters years ago! Newborn chickens are at a lower body temperature than adult birds. The best way to heat a chicken coop will depend on the size of your coop.