anyone use reptile heaters?

[maco5]

I am super afraid of having a heat lamp in the coop in case it somehow starts a fire.
So I have seen the ceramic reptile heaters that put out heat but no light.

Has anyone used these in their coops?

 

[jaybme]

I have wondered the same thing. I have lots of reptile rocks and mats.

Anyone know why we should not use them?

 

[Guinea Goonie]

I am trying to use these as the one and only heat source. Problem is, i have not come across one that is above 100 watts. I use them in the house with the baby chicks becuase they actually sleep at night this way. They are pretty expensive too. I have a total of two of them and the one has lasted for YEARS.
I am so paranoid that the light bulbs will blow on a cold night. I do not heat the house above 70 degrees and the heat source has to be reliable.
I do find them a safe and reliable method of taking care of my babies. I only have 4 chicks left in the house now. They are with the parrots in the bird room. The rest are out in the nursery and I have the white heat lamps on them. I am afraid of the infrared heat lamps, i have been told by quite a few people that these are bad for the developing eyes on chickens less than 8 weeks old.

 

[HennysMom]

I have 2 ceramic heat emitter bulbs that are used for reptiles - one is 100 watts and one is 250 watts; both are in appropriate brooder lamps that correspond with the proper wattage rating for each emitter and are made specifically for these with high heat porcelain sockets. Right now I have both of them hooked up and it raises the temp in my coop about 10 degrees (with a brooder guard on both of them to prevent burns) - I want it above freezing in my coop for my girls. I do have it on a therm. timer to come on at 35 and off at 45, else the girls get too hot. They hang at each corner *up high* in my coop and I have LOTS of ventilation and keep my pop door open so they can go in and out at all times.

I got mine online, which were MUCH cheaper than getting them in any store. Look around and you will find them - I believe I paid $16.00 for the 100 watt and $22.00 for the 250 watt (both are ZooMed) and right now at www.petmountain.com they are $16.95 (100 w) and $21.95 (250 w) with 10% off (use code HOLIDAY).

That site is the cheapest, even with shipping - out there online. I searched for hours and hours and couldn't find a better deal.

 

[setter4]

Yep, I have a ceramic heat emitter in my coop too.
Got it on Ebay for about 1/2 the price in a pet store. i have it in a cone reflector which helps keep it protected and also helps give a little larger heated area. So far I really like it.

 

[ebonykawai]

I've also used these and love them. I have a 100 and 250 watt, and also got them online for much cheaper than in the stores. They were great for my babies. I don't heat my coop now, though.

 

[Anny]

I have one in my coop. The thing is they are not any less likely to start a fire the a light, IMO they get hot and could star a fire if not properly secured.

I have a 150 in my coop, I need to get another one though as I think this one is dying (but they are $$$)

 

[conny63malies]

Do not ever use heat rocks. not for reptiles or poultry. THey are unsafe and can and will overheat and cause burns. I have heat cables, UT-heaters and flexwatt heat tape . I am thinking of using the heatcable in the coop that i will build (soon) a heat regulator is the key in using reptile heating devices. It can be as simple as a dimmer or as expensive as a 150 pro reptile heater.