coop heater

[sashurlow]

My wife and I are looking into adding a coop heater. I have read enough to know that the heater is more for our peace of mind than the chickens health. That is why I want to aim low. I am looking at this heater http://www.shopthecoop.com/mm5/merc...e_Code=STC&Product_Code=HCMS&Category_Code=He Good size and cheap. I would like to set the temp to go on at 10 degrees and turn off at 20 degrees. What do I need to use for that temp range? The thermo cube that is sold everywhere is set at a higher range than my goals.
thanks,
Scott

 

[The Sheriff]

Thermo Cube has an on at 20 degree off at 30 degree model. Check Amazon.

 

[Ogress]

I bought something similar to that from a pet store (mine's a Pet-Safe brand older model with a better cord wrap, I don't think they make it anymore. I bought it for my dog who never used it. Check eBay for something used). I put it in the nesting box under some wood shavings. Most of the time my girls don't use it, they prefer the roosting bars; but when it got down to 3 degrees the other week, 6 of them were trying to crowd onto it! They were all the 15 week old birds. The 22 week old birds could care less that it was cold. I have mine hooked to a Thermo Cube which I bought for about half what the website you posted charges.

I am going to buy some Snuggle Safe microwavable pet heater discs. They are supposed to hold their heat for about 10-12 hours, and I won't have to worry about losing power in the middle of the night in one of the many widstorms we get here (gusting 65 right now ... waiting for that power to fail!).

 

[Cargo]

Those Snuggle Safe microwavable pet heater discs would make a dandy water warmer as well.

 

[duluthmom]

I made a coop water heater that seems to be working very well. Today it is 0F outside and it was 20F in the coop. I bought a standard base cleat light socket from the hardware store and screwed it onto the center of a board about 12"x12". I attached a length of lamp cord to the cleat socket and added a plug end (hardware store). I swept away all the deep litter from the floor where I wanted to set the heater. Set down the board, and centered a 6" thick concrete block over the socket. Make sure there is no combustible bedding or straw in the open cell of the block. I bent the edges of a sheet of galvanized flashing to create a water shedding lid for the block. I set my plastic waterer on top. I changed the bulb to 75W when the temps dropped, but a 40W was keeping the water ice free just fine. All the extra heat keeps the concrete block radiating warmth all day. I think I spent $5 on the entire setup.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/65938_img_0569.jpg https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/65938_img_0571.jpg https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/65938_img_0572.jpg https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/65938_img_0566.jpg

 

[Peipooch]

"I made a coop/water heater that seems to be working very well. Today it is 0F outside and it was 20F in the coop. I bought a standard base cleat light socket from the hardware store and screwed it onto the center of a board about 12"x12". I attached a length of lamp cord to the cleat socket and added a plug end (hardware store). I swept away all the deep litter from the floor where I wanted to set the heater. Set down the board, and centered a 6" thick concrete block over the socket. Make sure there is no combustible bedding or straw in the open cell of the block. I bent the edges of a sheet of galvanized flashing to create a water shedding lid for the block. I set my plastic waterer on top. I changed the bulb to 75W when the temps dropped, but a 40W was keeping the water ice free just fine. All the extra heat keeps the concrete block radiating warmth all day. I think I spent $5 on the entire setup."


What a great idea! Thanks.

 

[chickbird]

Quote:
where can you buy those snuggle safe discs?

 

[annie3001]

Quote:
Do you have a photo of your set-up?

 

[chickbird]

Quote:
Do you have a photo of your set-up?

what a great idea you have.....