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Heating a chicken coop or not is a never-ending debate. It is a discussion everybody has an opinion for or against. Do you need the best chicken coop heaters or not?
While one side argues that a chicken coop heater is unnecessary as chicken naturally generates body heat, there are instances when a heater is appropriate.
One of them, you guess right, is during winter!
Imagine winter when snows fall to no end, accompanied by winds that blow leaves off trees nearby. Your chicken in their pen, clustered together and shivering in fright.
Is this enough motivation to buy the best heater for chicken coop?
I bet!
There are many chicken coop heaters specifically designed to supply heat to enclosed spaces. They are perfect for chicken coops and will keep your chickens warm and healthy.
Best heater for chicken coop for 2022 Review: Key Features, Pros, and Cons
There are many chicken heaters on the market today, but not all are of high quality. To ensure you bring the best heater for chicken coop home, we have reviewed the best 7 on the market and briefly describe them in the table below.
With an excellent reputation for producing many of the best pet products on the market, it is no surprise K&H Thermo-Chicken Heated Pad ranks first on our list. If you need a functional heater to keep your chicken safe during winter, you will love this.
The K&H Thermo-Chicken Heated Pad can be mounted vertically or horizontally. And because it uses a heat irradiation mechanism, this product can be positioned inside or outside your chicken house. When inside, it can be mounted on the wall for optimal heat distribution.
Another excellent feature is energy efficiency. Rated 25 watts, this heater for chicken coop is energy cost-effective. As such, you won’t bore a hole in your pocket warming your chicken during frigid months.
This heater comes with a chew-resistant cord, screws, and edges and will last for a long time. It is low maintenance. Once you bring this product home and power it, you automatically join an elite farmer group that uses MET-certified devices. It is a community of farmers using standardized electric accessories and safety assured devices on farms in the U.S.
Pros
This heater is suitable for chickens of all sizes and ages.
It comes with an internal thermostat for temperature regulation.
It is chew-resistant and will last for a very long time.
Cons
This product does not come with a high, medium, or low-temperature setting.
If you need a chicken coop heater that can efficiently provide warmth for snakes, lizards, and fishes in an aquarium – yet affordable, this two-pack heater just might tick the box for you.
Our premium pick is made of high purity ceramic, metal, and clay, this infrared heat lamp stands out from many on the market. It may also interest you that this product emits zero light. This means your birds will get no hormonal disruptions caused by abnormal lightings during the dark period of the day.
This chicken coop heater is rated for 9000-15,000 hours. We love the handy digital thermometer it comes with that ensures that farmers can monitor heat levels. The OMAYKEY Ceramic Heat Lamp is both waterproof and crack-proof. As such, it is suitable for use in wet housing. Though small, we find this device extremely effective and powerful.
Pros
This chicken coop heater does not emit light and won’t interfere with your chicken’s normal waking and sleeping cycle.
It comes with an easy-to-read digital thermometer to monitor and control the level of heat in the chicken hen.
It is anti-crack and water-resistant and can be deployed in wet pet houses.
Cons
This heater is not suitable for an outside chicken coop.
Do you need a bulb that can be used in track light fixtures? This R40 lamp heater bulb rated 250-Watt is your best bet. It uses infrared (IR) radiation and will provide warmth for your chicken in their pen. In addition, this lamp is a perfect fit for bathrooms, kitchens, and other agricultural settings such as dogs, foals, calves, and pig houses.
We love the ease of installation, which is made straightforward by a universal cap base. As such, it is compatible with a wide variety of equipment. Crafted from hard glass, this chicken coop heater is a safe option for many practical applications.
In producing this heater, Philip utilizes recycled glass material. As such, it reduces trash in landfills making the environment a safer place. The Philips Heat Lamp is rated for up to 5,000 hours of use before needing replacement.
Pros
It is made from tough infrared incandescent reflector lamps, making it a safe heat source.
This heater is dimmable, making it useful in many applications.
It comes in a red color that reduces visual light emission and glare.
Cons
This unit does not come with a thermometer.
4. BOEESPAT Ceramic Heat Emitter Bulb — Best for humid environment
The BOEESPAT Ceramic Heat Emitter Bulb is another dynamic zero light-emitting heater that does a fantastic job of keeping your animals warm and healthy. Unlike many inferior products on the market, this device is durable and well-built. Rated for at least 15,000 hours of use, this heater is produced for the long haul.
Another feature that impresses us about this heater is the safety. Farmers often worry about something going awry with chicken coop heaters, harming the birds. With the BOEESPAT Ceramic Heat Emitter Bulb, you need not worry. It is safe for use and allows your chicken to enjoy a seamless sleep cycle.
For all the goods, the heating surface can get very hot to touch. As such, place it in a place that is inaccessible to your chickens. It is more suitable for an enclosed pen house. However, if you intend to warm a large chicken coop, consider installing an additional heating bulb.
Pros
This heater does not emit light and does not disrupt the normal day and night sleeping cycle.
It is made with power-saving technology.
It generates a uniform heat that penetrates the skin tissue and improves blood circulation.
Cons
It is not suitable for large chicken coops.
5. PELONIS Electric 1500W Oil Filled Radiator Heater — Best noiseless warming
This is an excellent oil-filled radiator that does an excellent job of warming your coop during frigid weather. Check it out! This device has two heating settings of 1500 watts and 900 watts and five temperature settings between 65F and 85F for optimum warmth and health. This heater will certainly keep your chicken toasty on cold days.
Other features that impress us are the 10-hour timer, remote control, and LCD screen to monitor temperature levels. These are all excellent additions that make this heater one of a kind. In terms of mobility, this device is portable and has caster wheels that turn 360°. As such, you can move the heater from one place to another without breaking a sweat.
The PELONIS Oil Filled Radiator Heater comes with many safety features. These include a tip-over safety switch and overheat protection to ensure your chicks are kept warm and safe at the same time. Also worthy of note is a power indicator designed to reveal when the device is powered on or off.
This coop heater warms up slowly, providing ample time for the chicken metabolism to adjust to the changing temperature. In addition, it has a low operating noise which allows your animals to rest in quiet and peace.
Pros
This heater operates noiselessly, allowing your chicken to rest in quiet.
It comes with a tip-over safety switch that will prevent the risk of fire if the unit is knocked over.
It comes with a programmable thermostat and a 10-hour timer.
Cons
This heater can not be set lower to 65°F or lower.
6. K&H Thermo-Chicken Heated Perch — Best feet warmer
The Thermo-Chicken Heated Perch is one of the standout heaters out there. It is a thermostat-controlled perch designed to be used indoors. This machine will warm your chicken cold feet.
Biologically, chickens lose body heat through their feet. The Thermo-Chicken Heated Perch warms the chicken by transferring heat via the bloodstream to other parts of the body. As a result, your chicken will be warm, healthy, and live its life quietly during the winter months.
This chicken coop heater comes in two different sizes of 36-inch and 26-inch long. It can be placed anywhere in the coop. Although you might be needing more than one depending on the number of your chicken and the size of the pen. This product is certified safe for use by the MET lab in the United States.
Pros
This chicken coop heater does not occupy too much space.
It is certified safe by the MET laboratories in the United States.
It is available in two easy-to-deploy sizes.
Cons
This heater should be higher than 8 inches as chickens love to perch high off the ground.
If you like BOEESPAT Ceramic Heat Emitter Bulb but could want a similar high-quality product to make comparisons, this is perfect! The Wuhostam Infrared Ceramic Heat Lamp is another product that will keep your chicken warm on frigid days.
This chicken coop heater emits zero light, and is infrared powered. It is rated to last for 10,000-15,000 hours before you need to think about a replacement. They will not disrupt the normal day and night sleeping cycle of your animals. At $17.99, this heater is pocket-friendly.
Although this chicken coop heater comes in pairs, you might need to combine more than one to effectively warm large pens. In addition, the surface gets hot during operation. As such, keep your animals far away from the surface to avoid burns.
Pros
This chicken coop heater is anti-crack and waterproof and can be deployed in many animal housing.
It emits zero lights and will not disrupt your chicken’s normal sleeping cycle.
It is easy to install.
Cons
You will need more than one pair to effectively warm a large chicken coop.
Best heater for chicken coop: Buying Guide
Now that you have a sound knowledge of the best heater for chicken coop out there. The following factors will nudge you in the direction of the product that best meets your chicken needs.
Wattage
First, consider the wattage of your preferred product. This is the amount of energy the heater generates to keep your chicken warm. For example, many chicken coop heaters are rated between 100 to 150 watts, perfect for small, enclosed spaces. However, if you have a large pen, go for PELONIS Electric 1500W Oil Filled Radiator Heater, a heater with larger power ratings. This is to ensure adequate warmth in all corners of the coop.
Brand/Manufacturer
Although this may look unimportant, it is still a factor you should consider before making a buying decision. Go for brands with an excellent reputation and history of high-quality products. They are trustworthy and are more likely to produce safe and efficient heating machines.
Safety Features
Remember this popular workplace saying “safety first?” This should be your selection motto when it comes to choosing the best heater for chicken coop. During our research, we found hundreds of inexpensive coop heaters with a high risk of fire hazards. These machines are liabilities that can lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars lost during a fire outbreak. They may even cause loss of life.
As a result, ascertain the electrical integrity and durability of the chicken coop heater you intend to bring home. If possible, get an expert opinion, or read the reviews of people who have or are still using the product.
Go for chicken coop heaters with a “safety switch” or any safety feature designed to switch the unit off when it trips over. Also, consider a machine having a super-seal casing that prevents dust from settling on the heating elements. This will also prevent birds from accessing the interior part of the heater.
Easy to install and clean
Is your preferred choice easy to install? Does it require the use of complex tools? All the heaters on this list do not require specialist knowledge or special tools to install.
Is it easy to clean? Remember, a chicken coop is a messy place. As such, the chicken coop heater will need occasional cleaning.
Versatility
What do you need in a chicken coop? Apart from warming your chicken coop, will it also serve dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, or reptiles? If multi-use ranks high on your list, go for a product like the OMAYKEY Ceramic Heat Lamp. It is versatile, and usable in other animal housing.
Type
There are many types of chicken coop heaters. The products on this list are safe and come with plenty of benefits. However, it is important to know the best application for each before making a buying decision.
Are you on the market for a flat panel heater? Then, K&H PET PRODUCTS Thermo-Chicken Heated Pad is your best bet. This heater looks like an ultra-slim computer monitor. Your chicken will definitely love to huddle around it and get some warmth.
The PELONIS Electric 1500W Oil Filled Radiator Heater is similar to heaters found in homes and offices. It is no surprise as the unit is superbly designed. It comes with five legs and 3 Heat Settings that can be adjusted to different intensities during roosting.
Looking for a little different product, go for an infrared-powered lamp like the BOEESPAT Ceramic Heat Emitter Bulb. It delivers and concentrates warmth to one place powerfully. And will never disturb your bird’s normal sleeping cycle..
The K&H Thermo-Chicken Heated Perch is another superb product. It is thermostatically controlled and ergonomically designed to fit chicken coops. This heater will warm your birds starting from the feet and maintain their homeostatic state. It has low wattage, and comes with a chew-resistant cord. It is perfect for warming chicken in the early stage of life and during the winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What temperature is the lowest the chicken can tolerate?
Chickens are hardy creatures and will tolerate temperature levels below freezing point. But they are animals that prefer warm temperatures. For optimal body metabolism, keep your chicken in temperatures of between 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. For frigid months, you can buy a chicken coop heater to keep them comfy and healthy.
Q: How do I tell my chicken is very cold?
This is easy!
Just look at the chicken; does she have ruffled feathers? Is she perched off the ground with one leg raised? How about her wattles? Are they paler than normal? These are cues that your bird is not enjoying the weather.
Q: Can Chickens die of cold?
Yes!
Chickens can freeze to death. This is common in newly hatched chicks lacking an established feathering mechanism to regulate the heat on frigid days. If the chicks are not tucked under their mother or kept in a brooder, they can freeze to death. In fact, this may also happen on regular days.
Freezing to death is not common in adult chickens. With well-established feathers and hardiness, they are better equipped to survive the winter months. Note, adult chickens can freeze to death when there is a sudden and drastic drop in temperature. When the temperature drops too fast, their body metabolism may find it too difficult to adjust, hence death.
Conclusion
In sum, we recommend having a reliable heater for your chicken coop, especially during frigid weather. To maintain optimal homeostatic conditions, chicken needs an environmental temperature that is safe and healthy.
The best heater for chicken coop will maintain the environmental temperature within optimal levels. Apart from the occasional cleaning, they require zero maintenance. Some even come with in-built thermostats to regulate the temperature and shut down the unit when the ambient temperature crosses a certain threshold. All the chicken coop heaters on this list are carefully selected and will serve your animals perfectly.
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