INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[number9]

I'm sure they will be ok. Hens get off the nest, so eggs can withstand some temp changes.

Sorry about being so late getting back to you. I hope you are right. I have not had much luck getting my flock up to what I would like. I will keep my fingers crossed.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Before I got my heat plate, I used to use the 250 bulbs. I was rading a batch of chickens in my original coop and they needed heat, because if the age they were at. Anyways, I had it all put up in the coop. Wasn't worried about anything, I thought I had it all hooked up good. The day at chores I though it smelled bad in the coop, like someone was burning something nasty. Then to see smoke coming from the ground. My heat lamp had fallen and landed right in a wooden food pan. It burnt a hole all the way through it!

I have a reptile lamp that I use in my room for my CICU (chicken ICU). Other than that I have vowed not to use a bulb again.

 

[Thriftymom6]

Oh, good point.  Didn't think about pecking.

I think I'll have to get some cinder blocks for the waterers.  Then I can set the heater between the block and the waterer.  I already have power cords in the coop, and the chickens don't mess with them, so I'm not worried about the power cords. 

There are those cord covers too. I use round patio paver like the steps and have them stacked two high I will prolly sandwich them between the two pavers to avoid them getting wet. I think that would work. Right?

 

[Thriftymom6]

[COLOR=006400]I saw a coop (somewhere -- maybe on BYC?) that had a ceramic wall heater installed -- just a square of ceramic that heats up when the temperature goes below a set point.  It was mounted high enough and away from the perches that is was unlikely any bird would touch it, but I think they are supposed to be safe to touch anyway (or you could cage it). Something like this:http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.h...Wall-Mounted-Ceramic-Convection/dp/B004FAMXL0[/COLOR]http://www.amazon.com/Eco-heater-NA400S-Wall-Mounted-Ceramic-Convection/dp/B004FAMXL0#  [COLOR=006400]I think.[/COLOR]

Man ur brilliant! I learn so much here. I may not get that one for $500, but they have a smaller one for $74 in the recommended part that I am gonna use in some cold parts of my house that will save a ton and not have the space heater worry. Fires are scary. I am also guilty of using a heat light in my coop. I didn't think about fires but I can see the concern. But I was worried about them:/ I only used my own judgement. Not sure about this winter. I like the idea of cheaper heT like the one above!

 

[hoosiercheetah]

There are those cord covers too. I use round patio paver like the steps and have them stacked two high I will prolly sandwich them between the two pavers to avoid them getting wet. I think that would work. Right?

I'm not sure I'm picturing what you're describing... the heating pad needs to be in contact with the water container.

 

[Thriftymom6]

I'm not sure I'm picturing what you're describing... the heating pad needs to be in contact with the water container.

They are concrete pavers, round maybe 16" in diameter. If I put the sticky heater thing between the two pavers. they will heat the pavers and the water sits on the pavers so it's off the ground but not hanging. Then the water shouldn't freeze. I don't like the idea of putting it on the side of the waterer because I clean them at least bi weekly sometimes more. They get pretty nasty and if that thing was stuck to the side it would be harder to do. Plus I have two types of plastic waterers the big one and the small tip it over kind that spills a lot. Am I making sense? I sometimes don't. ADD. Sorry

 

[browncow15]

Well Said. I totally agree. But mine do not like the deep snow. I know I did alot of shoveling last year, so they would have a path, also stomped what I could down with my boots. Brats wouldn't even help, just ran behind me !!

My girls wouldn't walk in the snow at all!! I eventually started spreading a thin layer of hay after each snow storm just to get them out of the coop! If it didn't look like snow it was ok, silly birds!

On the topic of heating the coop. Last winter was my first with chickens. I started the winter heating mine with 2 250 watt bulbs in the ceiling. I have a decent size shed for a coop. After 3 broken bulbs I gave up, thankfully nothing caught fire! The only case of frostbite I had was also during the time I was using the bulbs. Just my experience...

Thank you everyone for the warm welcomes. These pics were taken when the chicks were 4 weeks old.

Cole

Sunshine

Maybaline

Blizzard, who was formerly known as Snow White but we decided it was to girly for a boy

Blu my rooster feeding the chicks like does the hens. He enjoys the chicks and spends time with them frequently. They some times follow him instead of Jewel.

Jewel showing the chicks the best place to dust bathe

On a sad note one of my Marans chicks is not feeling well and I had to bring him in today. He has perked up quite a bit after giving vitamins and electrolytes but I tried to bring him back out with the others and they were picking on him so he is still inside. I hope I can figure out why he is feeling bad. His only symptoms are tired and fluffed feathers.

Welcome! Your chickies are beautiful!

 

[browncow15]

can't get my app that loads pics to work tonight, but I came home to momma broody with at least 3 chicks under her! Excited to see if there's more in the morning! Night all!!

 

[PeacefulWalls]

These are my Babys, growing up and getting their curls.

Sooo beautiful! They'd be fun to have a couple as lawn ornaments!!

 

[EurekaChic]

Man ur brilliant! I learn so much here. I may not get that one for $500, but they have a smaller one for $74 in the recommended part that I am gonna use in some cold parts of my house that will save a ton and not have the space heater worry. Fires are scary. I am also guilty of using a heat light in my coop. I didn't think about fires but I can see the concern. But I was worried about them:/ I only used my own judgement. Not sure about this winter. I like the idea of cheaper heT like the one above!

[COLOR=006400] @Leahs Mom posted a reply to my original post with info and links on some cheaper versions of these ceramic wall heaters. Her post is on the top of page 3215 of this thread. [/COLOR]