INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

Well... not obsessing, but it is a huge drop to go from the 50's to 0 F at night. No way you can acclimate that fast.

That's one of the reasons I have wished to find a hanging heater of some sort that can keep the temp in their roost area within about 15 degrees warmer than the air when it drops into the single digits and below. It just feels a bit more humane to me. And if it fails, there's only a 15 degree difference which is way less than they experience sometimes!

 

[Leahs Mom]

@Carole AM

If you want to order from Matthy's give them a call. They'll send out an order form to you. (574) 287-1935

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I was at the Greenwood RK this afternoon. The tanks are out but no chicks yet. They said the hatchery isn't shipping due to the cold, but they'll have them as soon as the weather breaks. So sad that I can't get any for at least six weeks!

Thanks for the chick radar report!

Quote:
I have those 2 boys with massive combs we talked about that are frostbit, legbar roos. Both of them are free range and won't go near a coop. I toss them game bird feed every day to help keep their protein up.I went out and put vaseline on my lavender drake, and another fella thats caruncled heavily.

Quote:
Thanks for the chick radar update, keep them coming everyone! If it was march, I would be going to buy CX!

Well... not obsessing, but it is a huge drop to go from the 50's to 0 F at night. No way you can acclimate that fast.

That's one of the reasons I have wished to find a hanging heater of some sort that can keep the temp in their roost area within about 15 degrees warmer than the air when it drops into the single digits and below. It just feels a bit more humane to me. And if it fails, there's only a 15 degree difference which is way less than they experience sometimes!

I know! I guess thats what concerns me, the temp swings. My poor donkey was panting Sunday, and the cow was too. I took advantage of the temps and drained the stock tank, added ACV and refilled it. They really guzzled the cold water. I am still considering a "sweeter heater" for the new chicken coop, and one for the livestock house too. Nervous about our calf coming this month!

 

[Leahs Mom]

@jchny2000
I have read too many reviews on the Sweeter Heater and I just don't think they'll do what I'm wanting to do. I think the area has to be relatively small and enclosed - no high ceilings, etc. It sounds like the radiant heat wouldn't be enough from what I can gather. I even talked to the manufacturer to explain what I was looking for and even what they said sounded "iffy".

I've been wondering if something like this is any good...and about fire hazards.... I think they make them smaller too.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ue&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_1&smid=A1Z97NCC79GRMC

ETA a review:

Answer:
You'll have to make a rack to hang it
By Chris Chang on October 6, 2014
See more answers (5) ​

• 0
  votes

Question:
Is this safe to use in a small coop with pine shavings or hay? ​

Answer:
If it was 3' off the floor I would not be afraid to use it. A piece of hay could catch fire if it stayed in touch with the rod for a few seconds.
By john zimmerschied on October 17, 2015
That is the only way we use this heater. We get 110 chicks every two weeks and hang the heater 18" above the floor, which we cover with pine shavings. Needless to say, be sure that the heater is properly hung and the chain is in good shape, so that it can't fall down.
By Ed Van Wingerden on October 19, 2015


https://www.incubators.org/gqf-mfg-radiant-heater-0470.html#

I'd like to talk to the mfg. to see if it will do what I want.​

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

@jchny2000
I have read too many reviews on the Sweeter Heater and I just don't think they'll do what I'm wanting to do. I think the area has to be relatively small and enclosed - no high ceilings, etc. It sounds like the radiant heat wouldn't be enough from what I can gather. I even talked to the manufacturer to explain what I was looking for and even what they said sounded "iffy".

I've been wondering if something like this is any good...and about fire hazards.... I think they make them smaller too.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ue&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_1&smid=A1Z97NCC79GRMC

ETA a review:

Answer:
You'll have to make a rack to hang it
By Chris Chang on October 6, 2014
See more answers (5) ​

​

• 0
  votes

Question:
Is this safe to use in a small coop with pine shavings or hay? ​

Answer:
If it was 3' off the floor I would not be afraid to use it. A piece of hay could catch fire if it stayed in touch with the rod for a few seconds.
By john zimmerschied on October 17, 2015
That is the only way we use this heater. We get 110 chicks every two weeks and hang the heater 18" above the floor, which we cover with pine shavings. Needless to say, be sure that the heater is properly hung and the chain is in good shape, so that it can't fall down.
By Ed Van Wingerden on October 19, 2015


https://www.incubators.org/gqf-mfg-radiant-heater-0470.html#

I'd like to talk to the mfg. to see if it will do what I want.

This is a common hanging heater. Its less known to be an issue to a clamp type. I think the important part of it is routine cleaning and distance from flammable items also. Poultry dust is flammable, meaning chaff from the wings and dander. Of course poop as its decomposing in deep litter environments.​

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Just checked on my scovy and mallard flocks. they are all snuggled up together, and not "piling". Set my alarm for 2 am to check again. Looked in on all the breeder coops. Will really be glad for warmer temps and more sleep lol.

 

[Faraday40]

For sure! I was peeling potatoes , and put the peeling in a bag. Went out to the garage to toss them in the bug bins. My sister was here, and asked my why i didn't give them to the chickens..eyeroll!

I didn't bother explaining raw skins are toxic. I told her I had to feed my mealies.. when I started explaining she freaked out about bugs.. eyeroll. SMH! she grew up in the same house I did, just don't get it.

We have a bag of dried mealworms inside by our back door. Everyone here knows that those are special treats used for chicken training, & the ledge by the backdoor has become their place. I still get surprised when someone walks into our house & freaks out over a single bag of bugs. It's not like squiggling throughout the room. They're dead & in a bag, geesh!

Anyway, as the guest complains about the "gross" mealworms, DH can't help but ask, "Is that the worst thing you see in the room?" He's referring to my aquarium of live Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches in the corner. (I use them for my classes from time to time & feed them to reptiles if I get too many.) For some reason, people tend to over-look those. LOL


Some of my students during my backyard bug summer camp.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: I seriously don"t get why my sister does not "get it" its a real issue for me. She worked at an egg farm...Saw the difference in how chickens are treated. She sure doesn't mind a dozen eggs from my ladies.

 

[tmarsh83]

As I'm working on coop 2.0 temperature regulation is what has given me the most frustration. I want to use a cup watering system inside the coop, so obviously keeping that above freezing is going to be a priority. I think what I've decided on is using a heat lamp to keep the temp around the water storage and plumbing from freezing, and if some of that warmth bleeds over to the chicken side then so be it. Currently the plan is for this to be in the area of the nesting boxes as well, which I like as I've lost a couple eggs to freezing this winter, so it could eliminate that.

I can see where it may cause some diva birds to think sleeping in the nesting box is a good idea, but that seems an easier problem to fix than frozen water system or eggs.

 

[Faraday40]

I can see where it may cause some diva birds to think sleeping in the nesting box is a good idea, but that seems an easier problem to fix than frozen water system or eggs.

When I get a group of pullets that decide not to roost, I simply get a couple pieces of cardboard to hang across the opening overnight. I have to make sure to take it off every morning, but it keeps the nests poop-free.