Has anyone ever used a 'hover'?

[zookeeper15133]

I have found a couple of plans for DIY hovers online. They are wooden boxes with 4" legs and light bulbs inside. Any where from 2' x 2' to 4' x 6'. They are not very high. Has anyone ever used one? I was wondering about the safety of them, with the light bulbs so close to the wood. What kind of light bulb sockets would I use. Any info would be appreciated!
Here are the links:
plamondon.com/brooder.shtml
ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/12566/StationCircular146.pdf?sequence=1

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Porcelain only.

I use the Ohio hover and it works great. Just follow the directions to the letter. Unless it's below freezing you likely won't need the big 250w bulbs.

Mine is a reduced size version suitable for 50-60 chicks rather than the full size for 250.

 

[zookeeper15133]

But is it like what you would have on your cellar ceiling or like the ones that hang with the reflector?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Like on the ceiling. You'll have to wire it yourself.

A couple of pictures of mine in use:

This one is from when it was new and before I'd done a proper job of wiring it.

 

[ralleia]

A.T. Hagan :

Porcelain only.

I use the Ohio hover and it works great. Just follow the directions to the letter. Unless it's below freezing you likely won't need the big 250w bulbs.

Mine is a reduced size version suitable for 50-60 chicks rather than the full size for 250.

Seconded. The socket base should always be ceramic (porcelain).​

 

[zekii]

Is there building plans on the web somewhere for the Ohio Hover ?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

You can find the plans here: http://plamondon.com/brooder.shtml

Keep in mind the original is sized for up to 250 chicks.

 

[zekii]

A.T. Hagan :

You can find the plans here: http://plamondon.com/brooder.shtml

Keep in mind the original is sized for up to 250 chicks.

Thank you very much A.T. Hagan

 

[zookeeper15133]

Thank you A T Hagan! I really like the peek door. I will add that to mine!

Zekii:
here are plans for the 2' x 2'
http://urban-agrarian.blogspot.com/2007/02/mini-ohio-boooder.html

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Quote:
Heh, I'd forgotten about the Urban Agrarian blog.

That's where I got the idea for making the lid of mine removable. Just keep the recess on the top though so you can fill it full of shavings. They make a big difference in the heat retention in the case of a power failure. They also give you more square footage in the brooder once the birds are big enough to make it up there.