Producer's Pride Brooder as Coop Heater in WI Winter

[jessalee]

I purchased the "Producer's Pride Brooder and Coop Heater" (https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-brooder-and-coop-heater) to use as a brooder when I first got my Wyandotte chicks last spring. It is now fall in Wisconsin and the temperatures are beginning to drop. Though I don't expect to heat my coop regularly during the winter, I do want to have a heating plan in place for the exceptionally cold days (0, -10s, -20s). While the Producer's Pride Brooder is marketed as a coop heater as well, I wonder if anyone has experience using this heating plate in such cold temperatures. Will it make the cut? Or is -20 simply too cold for this heating plate to properly function in the coop? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[TLCMidMichigan]

What does the manufacturer say?

Are these larger chickens now? Fully feathered?

Do you live in the upper part of the state where getting extra cold days and nights?

 

[jessalee]

What does the manufacturer say?

Are these larger chickens now? Fully feathered?

Do you live in the upper part of the state where getting extra cold days and nights?

Thus far, I have been unable to find manufacturer guidelines, hence why I am reaching out here. I suppose I could try calling the manufacturer directly...

The girls are fully feathered and are fairly large as is characteristic of the wyandotte breed.

I live in the central part of the state where the average highs are 27-32 and the average lows are 8-14 degrees. That said, we can get cold snaps as low as -20, -30, and (rarely, thank goodness) -40.

 

[TLCMidMichigan]

Sounds like where I live in the middle of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Same weather at times. Thus with my chickens, I am able to have the ability to close up windows and larger vents to keep the draft off my birds (Bielefelder). They are well suited for winter.

A couple of winters back I had Black French Copper Marans with feathered feet. They did well in the same coop. Don't make something hard. The birds will keep each other warm.

 

[Alaskan]

I live in the central part of the state where the average highs are 27-32 and the average lows are 8-14 degrees. That said, we can get cold snaps as low as -20, -30, and (rarely, thank goodness) -40.

I haven't used that heater...

But those temps aren't bad. Just when you get below zero F make sure they have plenty to eat.

 

[Mrs. K]

A warmer plate will really do little for the air temperature in the whole coop. I would only use it for chicks.

Instead of thinking warm, think dry. Dry adult chickens with good bedding, and wind protection and proper ventilation are warm chickens. When people think adding heat, they invariably think shutting up the coop to keep the heat in, and that is a recipe for frostbite.

It seems so counter intuitive, but dry with lots of fresh air is better for birds than heat.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

That said, we can get cold snaps as low as -20, -30, and (rarely, thank goodness) -40.

Windchill temps or air temps....how long do the snaps last.

I give my birds some Savachick electrolytes/vitamins during cold snaps here, it really helps.
Mix the solution and soak it up in rolled oats so not open liquid for wattle dipping.

Post some pics of your coop and run, inside and out, as we can help you get set up for winter.

in Wisconsin

Welcome to BYC! @jessalee
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[jessalee]

Windchill temps or air temps....how long do the snaps last.

I give my birds some Savachick electrolytes/vitamins during cold snaps here, it really helps.
Mix the solution and soak it up in rolled oats so not open liquid for wattle dipping.

Post some pics of your coop and run, inside and out, as we can help you get set up for winter.

Welcome to BYC! @jessalee
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2382799

Thanks for all the recommendations so far. Here are pics of the coop/run. I welcome any recommendations/feedback!