Any Sweeter Heater users?

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

Yes, just got mine and we've been running it since Wednesday continuously and it still smells. To think anyone would put this over their chicks is beyond belief. Feel sorry for the chicks. It's so bad I'd think it'd def hurt their lungs. I bought it for adding some safe warmth to the coop. I know it's 'radiant' but it does not do anything to the ambient temperature. Chickens would have to be right next to it, and my goodness I wouldn't want them right next to it smelling this smell. I have a Brinsea, but it's very small and of no use to add heat, but it didn't have this smell at all. Totally different products though, same concept, just built differently. This sweeter heater is a nice concept, but what I think this is, is like the Radiant Floor heating with a piece of linoleum over it. But it smells terrible, like VOC of some kind. They should dissipate the smell for you if it ever even goes away. I actually doubt it.

The odor you smell is Acetic Acid, which is a chemical in Silicone Sealant used in construction of the Sweeter Heater. It is normal for silicone to release this odor for a period of time when it's heated. You bought a new product that has been sealed and not exposed to high temperature, so additional curing of the silicone shouldn't come as a surprise. It would be nice if the manufacturer explained this, but they be taking it for granted that most people will be able to figure this out on their own. While it may not smell that great, you've probably eaten your share of it. It's basically vinegar, and lot of people (intentionally) put vinegar in their chick's and chicken's water.

As I said in my previous post, I ran mine for a couple of weeks before using in the brooder. The odor DID go away, and every single chick I've used it on is alive and extremely healthy... and I've never had a respiratory issue with any of them. If yours happens to be non-refundable and you don't want it, I'll give you half your money back and pay for shipping if you'll send it to me. I could use another one...

 

[couloir007]

Can an 11x30 sweeter heater keep 50 week old chicks warm enough with ambient temps in the 30s and 40s? I'm keeping them in an attached garage which makes me uneasy using 250 watt bulbs.

 

[CradG]

How high above the bedding would you start hanging the heater for day old chicks? How often do you raise it?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Have you all read the forum on MHP by Blooie? It's a heating pad (no auto shut off) made into a "cave" that the chicks go under, mimicking the hen. Check it out ....