Trying something new today. These heat lamps are a pet peeve of mine.
They are cheaply made. They are very hot. They can start fires if they fall. I just don’t particularly care for the product! But when the weather drops, I need to keep my chickens warm. For those who insist that’s not necessary, I have had hens frostbite their combs and toes, so we will just have to disagree. Lately, the thermometer has been dipping down to ten degrees or so at night… so, it was time to set up the heat source for winter.
Dear Vernon put in a new outlet for me, the old one was loose and chickens could unplug their heater or their heated dog waterer just by flying by! I figured it was a good time to research what was new in coop heaters.
I found this. It looks like a big screen tv, but it’s not!
It’s the Cozy Coop heater. They do not know who I am or that I’m promoting their product. This is an infrared heater, meaning they have to be standing close to it to get warm. It won’t heat the entire coop. I may have mounted it too high, it can be in contact with bedding, but I feel better right now making them jump up on the board to warm their toes! If I change my mind, I can easily move it.
I know I could spend time insulating the coop or work on the drafty windows… but this seemed like an easier option. It has two levels of heat. For now it’s just on level one. I’ll let you know if they find it overnight. This afternoon was in the 30’s and it was pleasant in the coop. They also gained fresh bedding today. Note to self: don’t give chickens fresh bedding before they start molting… it looked like two chickens had been plucked in there! Their bedding wasn’t dirty, it was just full of feathers. I’ll let you know how happy they seem tomorrow. Oh, best of all… Made in the USA!
That sure seems like a safer upgrade. Let us know if it turns out to be a good solution!
Great invention (made in the U.S.A. – yea!). Hope you and the chickens
are happy with it.
After having a couple of my hens develop frostbite I applied a coating of petroleum jelly to their combs. It helped immensely but I didn’t try it on their toes. Maybe it would help those as well.
Best wishes to you and your flock.
I was always worried about my hens after a couple of them developed frostbite on their combs. When it was predicted to be especially cold I applied a coating of petroleum jelly on their combs and found that it helped immensely. I didn’t try it on their feet but maybe it would help those as well. Best wishes to you and your flock.
Very nice they should be happy!
Interesting!