Warming Bricks For Warmth

[Daisy June]

I have been mulling over this question and would like to hear what our BYC members have to say. Back in the day, people used to warm bricks and put them in carriages to help keep themselves warm on rides. What about warming bricks and placing the bricks inside the coop to help keep the chickens more comfortable? Is that a weird idea?

 

[saysfaa]

It isn't a weird idea.

I used the concept to brood my chicks - hot water bottles instead of actual bricks because water has a higher heat index (aka specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, whatever). It was also easier for me to heat water than to heat bricks. I used that in combination with a wool hen.

Once they are fully feathered, though, they can keep themselves warm. Feathers are extremely effective insulation.

It wouldn't hurt anything to put warmed bricks in a coop. It would be a much safer way than most other options people have talked about on chicken forums for people to feel better on cold days.

It would be a lot more weight than I would want to carry to get enough thermal mass to make much difference for more than a very short time.

 

[FrostRanger]

Unless one gets subzero temps, heating a coop isn't usually necessary. Heated bricks aren't the worst idea if one gets such temps, but it'd be a lot of work to set up and maintain

 

[nuthatched]

They used to heat breaks and then have them under a lap rug near the feet or hands, they didn't heat the air.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I love this idea! Not for my chickens, though - for me! I'm going to start heating a couple of bricks on my wood stove and put them at the foot of my bed under the blankets to keep my feet warm. My feet are always cold at night!

 

[Daisy June]

It isn't a weird idea.

I used the concept to brood my chicks - hot water bottles instead of actual bricks because water has a higher heat index (aka specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, whatever). It was also easier for me to heat water than to heat bricks. I used that in combination with a wool hen.

Once they are fully feathered, though, they can keep themselves warm. Feathers are extremely effective insulation.

It wouldn't hurt anything to put warmed bricks in a coop. It would be a much safer way than most other options people have talked about on chicken forums for people to feel better on cold days.

It would be a lot more weight than I would want to carry to get enough thermal mass to make much difference for more than a very short time.

That all makes good sense. Thank you for responding so thoroughly!

 

[Daisy June]

Unless one gets subzero temps, heating a coop isn't usually necessary. Heated bricks aren't the worst idea if one gets such temps, but it'd be a lot of work to set up and maintain

All true

 

[Daisy June]

I love this idea! Not for my chickens, though - for me! I'm going to start heating a couple of bricks on my wood stove and put them at the foot of my bed under the blankets to keep my feet warm. My feet are always cold at night!

 

[Daisy June]

To keep my feet warm, I put a heating pad on low and place it under the covers where I put my feet. Works like a charm

 

[BigBlueHen53]

To keep my feet warm, I put a heating pad on low and place it under the covers where I put my feet. Works like a charm

I have an electric blanket and an electric mattress pad. Still my feet get cold. Stupid thyroid!