DIY Thread - Let's see your "Inventions".

[Beekissed]

I have one concern with the heating pads in the hen house.

I'm pretty careful to only use electric items that are made for outdoors and wet situations. I know the heat pad wiring wouldn't be rated for that kind of use so I get a bit concerned about using them with the dust/wood chips, etc. that is in the chicken house.

It's not the temperature I'm concerned with but shorting in the electric wiring itself.

Now...if I were brooding in the house I wouldn't be quite as concerned.

Actually, most heating pads are built for using around moist compresses for therapy reasons. The one I'm using is completely machine washable. They are quite possibly way more safe than heating designed for livestock for the simple reason they are designed to be used on humans, which causes them to earn a much greater safety rating even when not used for just house use~humans do crazy things with home medical equipment. I'd be far less concerned about a heating pad shorting out than I would a heating lamp, heated dog bowl or bucket, etc.

The Sunbeam pad I'm using lists it as for use with moist or dry heat, so it's fully within the safety functioning of the pad to use it under moist conditions. I think any person using any electrical devise should use common sense with operating it, so that is up to the individual how they position their pads for safety. Home brooders use the same components...water, shavings, dust, feed chicks, etc. I think if I had concerns at all about an electrical devise under those conditions I'd rather it be in the hen house than my own home if fire was the fear.

 

[Leahs Mom]

The Sunbeam pad I'm using lists it as for use with moist or dry heat, so it's fully within the safety functioning of the pad to use it under moist conditions.

That's good! And machine washable too...does the cord detach from it? I didn't realize they made them that way.

I'd say the odds of it being safe for brooding conditions would be pretty good knowing that

I've definitely decided I'm not going to use heat lamps for brooding again. It will either be the plates or a broody - or maybe something like this. So far one of my girls has brooded my new chicks but I imagine there will be a time when I need to brood without a broody.

 

[Beekissed]

It does. This is one of my favorite heating pads I've ever seen...I've used quite a few over my nursing career but never saw one this nice. Wish they had made them this nice back in my day.

 

[aart]

My concern, inside or out, is the thing being on for days at a time....not sure about that aspect.
Also, any place but especially outside would be the extension cords used must be adequate and safely placed.

 

[Beekissed]

My concern, inside or out, is the thing being on for days at a time....not sure about that aspect.
Also, any place but especially outside would be the extension cords used must be adequate and safely placed.

The one I'm currently using has been on continuously~except for last night's power outage~since my experiment began...over a month. Since I brood my chicks in 2 wks and then they are usually out on their own, I have no concerns over it.

Of course. As with any electrical devise. My last two coops only have electricity because I strung 250 ft. of extension cords and finished it off with a power surge protector bar. Those extension cords to the coop right now have been in place for 2 yrs now.

Anyone using common sense can utilize an electrical devise that generates heat. The heat lamps worry me more than anything I've ever used in regards to electricity...they get extremely hot and the power they pull is tremendous. I'll take a heating pad any ol' day.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

That's good! And machine washable too...does the cord detach from it? I didn't realize they made them that way.

I'd say the odds of it being safe for brooding conditions would be pretty good knowing that

I've definitely decided I'm not going to use heat lamps for brooding again. It will either be the plates or a broody - or maybe something like this. So far one of my girls has brooded my new chicks but I imagine there will be a time when I need to brood without a broody.

Just get some silkies. They will brood for you regularly. And like it.

 

[Beekissed]

But then you have silkies....

A sickly, can't roost, special needs bird that can't survive without help, can't forage out on pasture without getting picked off and can't keep itself warm in the winter. I'll take a heating pad any ol' day over a silkie....at least a heating pad has more than one use.

 

[acemario]

I had researched pallet furniture for a while and finally built my own. This is the first of a 3 piece porch sectional. I used a lot of sites to get my vision and then, voila!

The best part? The pallets were free from a local store! All this cost was time and sweat!

 

[Beekissed]

That's just darling! Good job on that!

 

[acemario]

That's just darling!  Good job on that! 

Thanks!