“We have Orpingtons, the "golden retriever" of the chicken world and they are built for New England weather (just not the heat). We built a foam board insulated coop because they were juveniles when we put them out in the fall. We would have regardless because we wanted to give them the best life possible and dont think that a one-layer plywood construction is sufficient but to each his own. On a side note, we are so glad we got them as chicks in the fall. They grew up over the winter and started laying in the spring, so we got an entire summer of their best laying year. This heater helped them transition and it was perfect for the extra cold nights. We only have four chickens so everyone could fit underneath it fairly but there were some warmer nights when they roosted away from it. It was nice for them to have the option. We had it up most of the winter and it never failed.”
“At first I didn't think it gave off enough heat, but I realized that the chicks were keeping warm enough evidently and that I no longer had to worry about dangerous heat! I am SO glad to have purchased the Sweeter Heater - I bought a second one to put in another coop. My Pet Chicken site offered the best price and I like their customer service.”
“I finally splurged on a Sweeter Heater this year to brood my chicks and I couldn‚Äôt be happier with it! I purchased the 11‚Äù x 30‚Äù size for use in my 3.5‚Äô x 5‚Äô x 2‚Äô tall plywood/plexiglas/wire mesh brooder box. Due to the size of my brooder box, I‚Äôve been successful at having a four week age spread amongst the chicks in the brooder at a given time. Now with the ease at which you can adjust the height of the Sweeter Heater, I‚Äôve had no problems in ensuring that all the chicks, whether four days or four weeks, are warm enough and comfortable!
Additional notes: I initially supplemented the heat from the Sweeter Heater with a 150-watt ceramic reptile heater but realized after just a few days that this was unnecessary - the Sweeter Heater alone was more than adequate!
As the product info and a couple of reviewers have already noted, there is a noticeable chemical smell for the first few days the heater is in use. It isn’t horrible but it isn’t pleasant either. Knowing this. I set up the heater, plugged it in and opened a window near the brooder a few days ahead of time and the smell had dissipated before the chicks arrived. This also allows you to ensure the heater is aproblematic before introducing the chicks.
I typically don’t heat my coops in the winter, but the Sweeter Heater would probably be a great way to help an ill bird convalesce should the need arise.
Lastly, I recently moved to a more rural area where the cost of electricity is insanely high. The 11‚Äù x 30‚Äù Sweeter Heater size only uses 100 watts (as well as producing no light and a drastically reduced fire hazard), as opposed to the 250 watt red bulbs that most of us have used previously!”
“Glad I follow coop dreams and saw this. This heater is maintenance free, the worry of over heating and causing a possible fire is no longer there , chicks love it. Worth the investment.”
