keep eggs from freezing in winter

[tuffy]

I live in upstate NY. In the winter I have to leave for work at 5:30 am and return at 5:30pm (ski center) The eggs are not laid that early so I can not gather them. Has anyone ever tried to very low heat the bottom of the nest box to prevent the eggs from freezing before I can gather them in the evening? I've never seen this mentioned. Perhaps a low watt bulb under the nest box just to keep the nest above 30 degrees. A heating pad set-up under the shavings?? Of course it can't be too warm, just to keep above freezing.
Thanks. I do have a light on in early am so my girls may lay all winter, so far, so good. Still no drop in #'s of eggs from months ago.

 

[MIKE555444]

Hmmm maybe a creative use of a water pipe heat tape?

 

[DIMBY]

I would be leery of the tape heaters, they get very hot, but also they simply concentrate heat in a small area.

Has anybody tried one of these?

http://www.shopthecoop.com/mm5/merc...tore_Code=STC&Product_Code=B&Category_Code=He

 

[emys]

http://www.heater-home.com/product/fw.aspx

Expensive, but perhaps useful in your situation?

 

[tuffy]

Thank you for the suggestions, I didn't know anything like the heating pad existed. I'll continue to look for something a little less pricey~ thanks

 

[lovemychix]

check ebay or other places on the internet. I know I search froogle and saw some too. I bought one of those flat panel heaters for $20 and $20 to ship. Way cheaper than shopthecoop. Maybe it would keep the coop warm enough for eggs not to freeze.

 

[emys]

Smaller, less expensive.

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/Seedling-Propagation-Mat/productinfo/PR-HMH/

 

[Wildsky]

The only frozen eggs I've had are ones that stayed in the coop overnight. I collect eggs at around 5pm each evening.

 

[LynneP]

Maybe if you increase the depth of the nest box with a board over the base at the front? Would give more room for deeper bedding in there...

 

[Akane]

How cold of temperatures are we talking? Pointing a light bulb at the boxes will work until you get into the negatives. If you use the big heat lamp bulbs they have their risks but probably less risks than most things you could put under the nest box. Having too much heat touch wood or straw is the danger with pretty much any heat source you use. Eggs do take quite awhile to freeze and they don't freeze at 32F like water. I didn't get frozen eggs until below 10F without any heat source and collecting once in the afternoon.