Anyone use a ceramic heater?

[pawsplus]

Up until now I have used an infrared heat lamp in the ceiling:

The girls roost on those top rafters under the lamp, so it works out well.

However, we now have 2 new chickens, hen Audrey and rooster Bianco. I'm not sure where they will roost eventually, but they were only recently (over the weekend) introduced into the flock and they are staying on the very bottom roosts (ladder, just 1 foot off the floor so 6 feet below the highest roost and 7+ feet from the heat lamp. Given that heat rises, the heat lamp isn't gonna do a THING for them.

So I'm wondering about mounting (securely) a ceramic heater on the wall, near to where they roost. It would heat their area plus, as the heat rises, it would heat more of the entire coop. Is this safe (if well-secured)? Will it work? Any particular ones recommended? I've just been looking at the ones at Lowes, like this:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_81525-33454...ntURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=ceramic+heater&facetInfo=

Or this (non-ceramic):

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

Thoughts?

 

[JackE]

Why do you think you need a heater? I'm north of you, and I don't supply any extra heat at all (Except for a heated base for the waterer). The front of my coop is open year round and I've had absolutly zero problems with frostbite or frozen chickens. They handle the cold alot better than the heat from what I've seen. You do not need ANY heaters for the chickens. They will feather out and be fine.
Jack

 

[pawsplus]

Well, they're my chickens and I do feel they need supplemental heat.

We have 2 months here where it's in the low 20s down into teens at night, with occasional nights in the single digits. Add to that very high humidity and lots of rain and it's very uncomfortable. The heat lamp is only on at night.

SO . . . . I will continue to provide supplemental heat.

I'm asking those who do if anyone has used ceramic heaters.

 

[cobrien]

I'm no expert on this, but I would worry about any heater that could get a major dust build up that is not easily cleanable like a light bulb. The 2 heaters you listed would get filled with dust and I think that could become a fire hazard.

I think insulating the coop would do well to make the heat from the existing bulb go a long way. I am not sure if it is possible to get the air moving a little bit without making it too drafty, but if there is a way to do that it would help the guys roosting on the bottom (a teeny tiny fan?).

A radiant heater on the ceiling or walls may work, too.
Colleen

 

[zippy5]

Yes... I used the flat panel ceramic heater,,white..Is the ones that you can put under your desk...I guess the wattage is only about 120... .I put it up on the wall, put chicken wire over it, so the chickens wouldnt get hurt. However, you can pretty much touch the heater with your hand, and not get burnt. It works perfect. And I know most people say you dont need heaters for the chickens...But I have to say, and I really dont know much..but have to say....my 8 layers, I still get 7-8 eggs like clockwork every morning, and we have a horrible winter so far....days are in the teens, and now dropping close to zero..blech..BTW I do spoil my chickens...more like my pets,

 

[Eggzausted]

No heat needed here in New England,as long as you have cold hearty breeds..A small DRY coop,deep dirty shavings,and a heated water can provide compfort for my chickens.Wild birds don't even have that.

 

[Lady Lemongrass]

I live in Ontario near Ottawa. Winters can get minus 30. My chickens survive with no heat . However, I always want to heat it or have an option for those minus 30 nights that last for days. I'm looking into ceramic. For the past 4 years I have done the deep litter method. They just puff up and huddle. Hot Breakfast of oats every day. Corn for supper. Trying to convince my husband to build a winter coop in a sunnier location of our property. It's currently in a shady area to protect from hot summers.