Anyone using cozy coop heater?

[Bstewart]

I have 4 new baby chicks and I purchased the cozy coop heater for my brooder box. It was recommended to me as safer than heat lamps. I think it's ok, but the only way for them to get warm seems to be to pressed right against the surface. My question is, my chicks seem to want to go behind it. There's a small space between the back of the heater and the wall. I wonder if it's too cold back there and they can't easily find their way back to the warm surface. Anyone have issues with it?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Bstewart Welcome To BYC
Hopefully others will chime in soon.
I'm not familiar with the product you are asking about, but it looks like it would mount on the wall? Does it have to stay "upright"?

How big is your brooder and what temperature is it?

It also sounds like they are not getting the benefit of the heat from it the heater that you have - I'm sorry, but you may be better off to make a Mama Heating Pad for them. This method lets chicks get underneath the pad and chicks press their backs against it if they need to. Mine never really did - their "cave" would hold heat fairly well and they would dart in and out all day long - just like chicks under a broody.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...er-picture-heavy-update.956958/#post-14882145

 

[Bstewart]

Hi @Bstewart Welcome To BYC
Hopefully others will chime in soon.
I'm not familiar with the product you are asking about, but it looks like it would mount on the wall? Does it have to stay "upright"?

How big is your brooder and what temperature is it?

It also sounds like they are not getting the benefit of the heat from it the heater that you have - I'm sorry, but you may be better off to make a Mama Heating Pad for them. This method lets chicks get underneath the pad and chicks press their backs against it if they need to. Mine never really did - their "cave" would hold heat fairly well and they would dart in and out all day long - just like chicks under a broody.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...er-picture-heavy-update.956958/#post-14882145

What a neat solution!!! Thank you for sharing it!

 

[Redhead Rae]

What you got looks like it is for use with older chickens. The problem is that heat rises and is floating away from your chicks so they can't stay warm. You can do the heating pad cave or you can get a chick heating plate (hover brooder). I have a lot of chickens so I got the 50 chick one.
https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/...touUfXnf2TMXfERyTZZdOEtTqHv1z_ARoCBEYQAvD_BwE

 

[Bstewart]

Thanks so much for the tips. I'm trying out a solution tonight and hoping it might help. My little chicks are also suffering from intermittent pasty butts and they're already 4 days old so I'm feeling desperate to understand what it is that is making them so stressed. They seem to be eating and drinking plenty. I wonder if bring chilled has something to do with it. My brooder is a large rubbermaid bin with the heater inside it. On a cool night, they really have no choice but to have their bodies right against the heater because the air around it just isn't getting warm. I'm taking the advice of both of you and considering the fact that the heat is just rising right out of there - so I've made a "cave" of sorts by using a lightweight crib sheet stretched around the outside of the box and only covering about half of the opening. The air under the sheet already feels much warmer, and then there is a cooler area beyond the sheet where they can venture if it's too toasty. I'm hoping this provides enough light and ventilation - I think it probably is just fine. I'm also a bit concerned about it being too hot. But the sheet is white and light weight and I do think the area under the opening will be quite a lot cooler. Please let me know it either of you see any problems with this idea - I certainly don't want to do any harm. The pasting up has been heartbreaking because they all seem really frightened and nervous every time I come around the brooder as if I'm going to hurt and chill them each time.

 

[Sassysouth]

I have a thick mercury fish tank thermometer that I laid where the light (I use the standard red heat lamp) hits to check my temperature. It just helped to ease my mind. You might could try something like that.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks so much for the tips. I'm trying out a solution tonight and hoping it might help. My little chicks are also suffering from intermittent pasty butts and they're already 4 days old so I'm feeling desperate to understand what it is that is making them so stressed. They seem to be eating and drinking plenty. I wonder if bring chilled has something to do with it. My brooder is a large rubbermaid bin with the heater inside it. On a cool night, they really have no choice but to have their bodies right against the heater because the air around it just isn't getting warm. I'm taking the advice of both of you and considering the fact that the heat is just rising right out of there - so I've made a "cave" of sorts by using a lightweight crib sheet stretched around the outside of the box and only covering about half of the opening. The air under the sheet already feels much warmer, and then there is a cooler area beyond the sheet where they can venture if it's too toasty. I'm hoping this provides enough light and ventilation - I think it probably is just fine. I'm also a bit concerned about it being too hot. But the sheet is white and light weight and I do think the area under the opening will be quite a lot cooler. Please let me know it either of you see any problems with this idea - I certainly don't want to do any harm. The pasting up has been heartbreaking because they all seem really frightened and nervous every time I come around the brooder as if I'm going to hurt and chill them each time.

Covering 1/2 of it may work for you. Just keep a watch on them, if you notice that they are avoiding the warm side all together constantly, then it may be too warm, but I think a sheet will let enough out.

Hopefully getting the temps regulated the Pasty Butt will start clearing up. Stress and struggling to stay warm could be the cause. If you haven't done so, next time you need to clean one up, after you have washed the bum - apply a little coconut oil to the vent, this will help sooth the vent and may help the poop from clinging so tightly too.

Let us know how it goes.