Heated Sidewalk Mats...hear me out!!

[DoodlesDuckies]

I am located in Central WI and it gets COLD...like -20 F COLD. What if I would run one of these heated walk mats (they are on Amazon) to keep a small area kinda sorta thawed. I do have 2 heated dog bowls that did AMAZING during the -35 F temps we had earlier this week. I found these heated mats and thought HEY...I know a few birds that may appreciate something like this.

I thought about maybe putting turf over the mats or even landscaping fabric and change it out off and on.

Thoughts?

Renee

 

[Debbie292d]

I am located in Central WI and it gets COLD...like -20 F COLD. What if I would run one of these heated walk mats (they are on Amazon) to keep a small area kinda sorta thawed. I do have 2 heated dog bowls that did AMAZING during the -35 F temps we had earlier this week. I found these heated mats and thought HEY...I know a few birds that may appreciate something like this.

I thought about maybe putting turf over the mats or even landscaping fabric and change it out off and on.

Thoughts?

Renee

Hi Renee,

Where are you thinking of putting them? For chicken nests, some use those heated plant mats and cover them with a little straw. That keeps the eggs from freezing. Those are way cheaper for that purpose.

If you're talking about something for them to lay on to keep warm, still cheaper than heated sidewalk mats are Cozy Coop type flat panel radiant heaters.

I'm in Wisconsin too. In our main coop, we have an oil-filled radiant heater (NewAir) brand that's been in there for 8 years, keeping it at 40F so eggs and water don't freeze. The four other temp or breeding pens each have a hutch to sleep in or lay eggs, and we have a Cozy Coop in each of those.

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

Hi Renee,

Where are you thinking of putting them? For chicken nests, some use those heated plant mats and cover them with a little straw. That keeps the eggs from freezing. Those are way cheaper for that purpose.

If you're talking about something for them to lay on to keep warm, still cheaper than heated sidewalk mats are Cozy Coop type flat panel radiant heaters.

I'm in Wisconsin too. In our main coop, we have an oil-filled radiant heater (NewAir) brand that's been in there for 8 years, keeping it at 40F so eggs and water don't freeze. The four other temp or breeding pens each have a hutch to sleep in or lay eggs, and we have a Cozy Coop in each of those.

I was thinking for outside the hut. They get let outside in the mornings. They have access to their hut all day to get out of the wind but they choose to lay in the tree line outside. I keep their food and water outside the hut too. They splash around and make an ice mess.

Was thinking of putting a 4x6 heated mat near their food/water where they lay around outside. In their hut they have a lot of straw and bales for extra insulation- they all go in at dusk. Just thought it would be a nice added touch outside to have something warm for them to stand/lay on when they go outside.

Other than at night, they have access to about 150ftx150ft fenced area with a tree line.

 

[Debbie292d]

I was thinking for outside the hut. They get let outside in the mornings. They have access to their hut all day to get out of the wind but they choose to lay in the tree line outside. I keep their food and water outside the hut too. They splash around and make an ice mess.

Was thinking of putting a 4x6 heated mat near their food/water where they lay around outside. In their hut they have a lot of straw and bales for extra insulation- they all go in at dusk. Just thought it would be a nice added touch outside to have something warm for them to stand/lay on when they go outside.

Other than at night, they have access to about 150ftx150ft fenced area with a tree line.

I get it now. I was leaning more towards chickens and wasn't paying attention to your username that's a dead giveaway!

In the winter, to reduce the splashing, I've seen some take like an icecream bucket or large tupperware type container and cut a couple of holes in the top large enough for them to easily get their heads in so they get water for their nares, but they can't make as much of a mess.

Let me tag @Jenbirdee to see her opinion on your mat idea as she has ducks and winter too.