Heated rocks (or flat pavers) as coop warmers

[AHappychick]

Quote:
oh I have a bunch of those emergency blankets what a great idea i am gonna use that for my duck house and probably my chicken tractor as well. Thanks!

 

[Stacy A]

I have been reading this tread and was wondering if one could heat a chicken tractor with those reptile heat rocks instead of a heat lamp. I dont know where I would be able to put a heat lamp in the tractor but could certainly put one of those electric rocks in. I am thinking about my broilers in particular...

You could also use a warming/brooder plate.... They normally have two options, one more chicks at a very low wattage and then the heating plate option that's I think 200 watts. Chickens can get as close or far away as it would like but it won't start a fire.

 

[Mrs. K]

One does not need to think warm, one needs to think DRY. Dry birds out of the wind are warm birds.

Hot water bottles and hot stones only stay hot if wrapped in insulation like blankets or sleeping bags. Exposed to the air the will cool very quickly and not change the air temperature much at all.

And the moment people think heat, they tend to think close the coop up, decreasing ventilation and increasing moisture.

Deep dry bedding, air space above their heads of 12-15 inches. Ventilation and protection from prevailing winds are the best ways to keep chickens dry and warm.

 

[Kirklasu]

Seeking opinions! We don't have electrical in our coop and its a Playhouse Coop so its small. The temps have been in the single digits and below here in MA. So I was thinking of heating rocks in the oven and placing them in the coop to at least take some of the chill off at night.

Natually I can't do this in a really hot oven because I don't want them to burn themsleves; I'm thinking a 350 degree oven for an hour or less, and I'd heat the rocks only to a point were I can still hold them in my bare hand. If I used flat pavers I could even place them on the floor of the coop.

Crazy idea? Good idea?

Phyllis

 

[Kirklasu]

I’d say good idea. Wrap in towels or burlap sacking to allow heat to emit over the full night and put somewhere safe. I have not tried it but I’m thinking of doing it because it will stay hot for longer than a hot water bottle and is easier to handle.
I suppose it would be hard to reach a consistent temperature.
I was thinking of using a brick.
Have you tried this yet?