sweet heater

[Macchick]

Has anyone used the sweet heater for keeping the coop warm in the winter?

 

[DobieLover]

Where are you located?
You don't need to keep the coop warm in the winter.
You need to keep it very dry and well ventilated.
The chickens keep themselves warm with their down coats and raging metabolisms that generate lots of heat.
You are naturally thinking like a mammal. They are birds and are well equipped to deal with the cold.
The real question is, how are you going to keep their water thawed? The water that you keep out in the run to prevent moisture build up in your coop.

 

[mamajos]

I have to be honest here. I have read a lot about how chickens don’t need heat, but when it gets to -25°-30°F, actual temp, I see how they are uncomfortable. Especially the older hens. So I just purchased a Sweeter Heater, for those horribly cold times. And I can use it when I brood new chicks. Will it help in the winter? I don’t know, but I feel better knowing I have it, knowing it’s a safe option for some warmth for the chickens on those very cold times.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you located?

If you're in a severe winter climate you need to read this article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

If you're in a mild or moderate winter area you don't need heat in the coop except to keep the water thawed.

 

[NNYchick]

I bought one for raising chicks in my coop brooder in the spring and love it. That being said I have all bantams do not heat my coop. I keep it dry and well ventilated. A few years ago I did buy one of the panel heaters and they ignored it so I took it out.

 

[Macchick]

Where are you located?
You don't need to keep the coop warm in the winter.
You need to keep it very dry and well ventilated.
The chickens keep themselves warm with their down coats and raging metabolisms that generate lots of heat.
You are naturally thinking like a mammal. They are birds and are well equipped to deal with the cold.
The real question is, how are you going to keep their water thawed? The water that you keep out in the run to prevent moisture build up in your coop.

I am in Colorado. We get some good winds and snow storms!

 

[DobieLover]

I am in Colorado. We get some good winds and snow storms!

You will need to winterize the run and close windows near the roosts to protect from drafts on the birds when roosted.
Can you post pictures of your setup, the whole thing, inside and outside, all sides? We can offer suggestions on getting ready for winter.

 

[aart]

I am in Colorado.

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Winterizing a run or portion of run isn't that hard to do. I have a lean to with high end over coop and plastic on the sides excepting walk through for myself. Throw hay down and provide 80 w deicer in 2 gallon livestock bowl when temps are single digits and below during days.

The birds spend all day in that run excepting the coldest of days (-10F or below) when they'll hunker down in the coop only to come out to eat and drink. Here in Northern VT that amounts to three to seven days in a winter season.

Chickens don't need heat but do require adequate winter space protected from the winds and snow.

 

[mamajos]

And just to make it clear about the Sweeter Heater and coop warmth. It doesn’t heat the whole coop. It will take the edge off the cold (on extreme cold days) for those that are under it or along side it, whichever way you have it mounted. It’s a radiant heat.