Cozy Coop heater in brooder?

[Relleoms]

Hi all!
Has anyone used a cozy coop flat panel heater in a chick brooder? If so, do you use it vertically or horizontally? It seems to me it would be best to use horizontally to simulate a mother hen, but I’m not sure the best way to do this. Any advice would appreciated! Thanks!

 

[debid]

Do you already have the cozy coop heater? There are cheaper/easier ways if you don't.

I pulled these specs from a seller's page:

• Energy-efficient - uses 200 watts
• Directs heat only where you need it
• ETL Certified Zero-Clearance item
• Large, high visibility ON/OFF switch
• Concenient in-cord switch for fingertip control
• Built-in thermostat
• Saves money on electric bills
• Silent design
• Maintains temperature of approximately 130°F
• Improves comfort and performance
• Item Dimensions: 18.98" x 12.01” x 0.63"
• Weight: 6 lbs
• 200 watts
• 1.67 amps
• Cord Length: 9', 10"
• Voltage: 120V

At 130F, it's too hot to be a direct contact plate but you could use it above their heads like a lamp. However, it wouldn't be much more efficient than a heat bulb and it's quite big. How many chicks are you getting and where were you planning to brood them?

 

[Relleoms]

Do you already have the cozy coop heater? There are cheaper/easier ways if you don't.

I pulled these specs from a seller's page:

• Energy-efficient - uses 200 watts
• Directs heat only where you need it
• ETL Certified Zero-Clearance item
• Large, high visibility ON/OFF switch
• Concenient in-cord switch for fingertip control
• Built-in thermostat
• Saves money on electric bills
• Silent design
• Maintains temperature of approximately 130°F
• Improves comfort and performance
• Item Dimensions: 18.98" x 12.01” x 0.63"
• Weight: 6 lbs
• 200 watts
• 1.67 amps
• Cord Length: 9', 10"
• Voltage: 120V

At 130F, it's too hot to be a direct contact plate but you could use it above their heads like a lamp. However, it wouldn't be much more efficient than a heat bulb and it's quite big. How many chicks are you getting and where were you planning to brood them?

Thank you for your reply! Yes, I already have the cozy coop heater, but would really love a Brinsea EcoGlow. I’m just having a hard time justifying the cost if I can use what I already have. I have 6 chicks on order & they will stay in our basement (68* ambient temp) until it’s warm enough to move them to our garage. I’ve found alternative heaters online but would really rather stay away from a heating lamp.

 

[debid]

Check out the "mama heating pad" thread. I built mine from a $13 heating pad and a broken tomato cage. Really. It only pulls 50W on high and is warm enough to use in an outdoor brooder in sub-freezing temperatures. I reared 6 under a standard pad and it was plenty of room for them.

 

[Moose364]

Get on google and read the reviews, I looked into putting one in. but after reading the review's that they would only bring up the temp around 20-30 degree's and that was being right up against it, I don't think you could get it to 90+ where you live unless your talking about using it during the summer

 

[aart]

My heating pad is about 110-120F on the surface.
Do you have an infrared temp gauge to test yours?
19 x 12 is not too big, IMO...
...I mean you could put at least a dozen chicks under there but 6 would do fine if you've got the space.
The only bummer about this type of plate heater is there's no manual temp control,
I like to have adjustability.

 

[debid]

My heating pad is about 110-120F on the surface.
Do you have an infrared temp gauge to test yours?
19 x 12 is not too big, IMO...
...I mean you could put at least a dozen chicks under there but 6 would do fine if you've got the space.
The only bummer about this type of plate heater is there's no manual temp control,
I like to have adjustability.

Actually, looking at the specs again, it says there is a thermostat and a controller in the cord? If that's the case, you could dial it back.

 

[azygous]

I have one of those Cozy Coop heaters for one of my smaller coops. I hung it on the wall, and I can't touch it when it's set on the high setting. I've also had it somehow turn off by itself a couple of times. I have no idea why it does that, but that wouldn't be good if I was using it for baby chicks.

I do, however, use the Mama Heating Pad system. I recommend it highly. It's soft and it's light weight, unlike the Cozy coop heater, and it doesn't get as hot.

The thing that makes the heating pad so successful is that the chicks can press their backs against the heating pad during the first week or two, just as they would under a broody hen. It heats their bodies efficiently in a way that a hard flat surface couldn't do as well.

If, for some reason the Cozy Coop heater fell down off whatever you have supporting it, it could crush the chicks and burn them to death. I do not believe it's safe to use as a brooder plate.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

It would take careful testing but wrapping the heater in something could get you the perfect temp. Towel, vinyl, etc.

 

[debid]

It would take careful testing but wrapping the heater in something could get you the perfect temp. Towel, vinyl, etc.

I'd worry it could trigger the thermostat to shut itself off once the towel got hot. Or said towel may catch fire. To me, the risk isn't worth it.