Don’t find your chickens as healthy as they were even a month ago when the climate was warmer?
They might not be getting the required warmth due to a drop in temperature. In such situations, I’d advise not taking any further risk and considering an electric chicken coop heater for your birds.
Note that DIY insulators or other alternatives to electric heating will be helpful only to a certain extent. I say this because I’ve tried these methods myself and have seen my birds suffer during extreme temperatures.
It was then that I made the switch, and I am glad I did, as my birds are hale and hearty to date. But needless to say, I’ve had a mixed experience using different coop heaters from several brands.
Hi! I’m Stacy, and today’s guide is on choosing the best chicken coop heater among the multitude of options out there. So, let’s begin!
Best Chicken Coop Heater
1. Cozy Products Chicken Coop Pet Heater
I’d like to begin with this Cozy Products coop heater that kept my chickens warm and happy throughout its service life. Also, I found its ultra-flat design to be perfectly safe for the birds and convenient to handle. To know more about the model, move on to the next few sections.
Product Highlights
First things first, this chicken coop comes with an ETL listing and zero-clearance rating, indicating that its construction is tested to be compliant with national standards.
Note that it doesn’t use lamps or light bulbs but a radiant heating panel running on a thermostat that provides gentle heat consistently. So, you can forget about the hassle of periodic light replacements; just plug it into a power source, and you’re good to go.
The low heat output of this model is another bonus, as you’re able to save considerable energy costs while not compromising on the performance. Moreover, the ultra-sleek design of the heater makes it stand out from average heaters, ensuring ultimate convenience both during storage and use.
It also offers noiseless performance throughout, so rest assured that your birds won’t face any discomfort and you can attend to them comfortably anytime.
What's There To Like About It?
I was most impressed by the safety provisions incorporated into this chicken coop heater. It came with a durable and protective cord that didn’t hurt the hens no matter how much they pecked at it. This ensured the more curious birds of the flock were perfectly protected while roaming around the coop.
Another convenient feature was its large and high-visibility power switch that allowed me to turn it on or off easily and safely. Alternatively, I could use an in-cord switch that enabled fingertip control.
What's There Not To Like About It?
I was a bit disappointed to find that this coop heater arrived with the stand and screws missing in the package. As such, I couldn’t set it up in the coop immediately, but the customer support was prompt and helpful, so the missing parts were delivered within a few days.
Pros and Cons of Cozy Products Chicken Coop Pet Heater
Pros
Cons
- Chicken Coop Heater: Keep your birds warm and prevent frostbite with Cozy Products Cozy Coop is a radiant heater that provides consistent, gentle heat without overheating your pets, making it ideal for outdoor coops and freezing winter temperatures.
- Safe to Use: Our chicken coop heater is ETL-listed and rated for zero clearance, reducing energy consumption, fire hazards, and circuit breaker issues. Safer than brooders or heat lamps, it has a built-in thermal protector for additional safety.
- Energy-Efficient Heater: Using about 13% (200 watts) of the electricity of a standard 1,500-watt space heater, this heater is energy-efficient and saves you energy costs. The heater has a durable, protected electric cord that keeps your chickens safe.
2. K&H Pet Products Thermo-Peep Pad
This option seemed to be perfect for both young and older chickens, as its optimal heating ability ensured that all the birds got adequate heat throughout the winter. Other high points include its appreciable energy efficiency and the availability of a one-year manufacturer warranty.
Product Highlights
Suitable for both outdoor and indoor use, this 9” x 12” heater comes with a pre-drilled hole for mounting vertically or horizontally as per your needs. This makes it quite easy to set up in any coop, irrespective of its size or shape.
Speaking of the heat source, it uses a preset internal thermostat controlled by an on/off switch. And this device is powerful enough to keep the birds warm even during a sub-zero climate. So, rest assured that they won’t bear the brunt of fatal, chilly conditions to stay healthy.
But despite having such a powerful heating capacity, this pad isn’t warm to the touch as it's designed to dissipate the heat quickly and effectively. Just be careful not to keep any object on the pad or avoid leaning against it.
What's There To Like About It?
In all these years, I’ve come across several coop heaters that claim to offer low wattage but aren’t actually very energy-efficient. So much so, that I had to dispose of them since they weren’t making any difference in my power bills.
However, this one was an exception as it truly used just 25 watts to keep my birds warm. At the same time, it has performed quite stably, and I didn’t observe any instance of overheating to date. That’s why I still have it stored as a reserve option.
What's There Not To Like About It?
The heater doesn’t come with an in-cord switch, so I have to reach the switchboard to turn it on each time. This gives the Cozy Products Chicken Coop Pet Heater an edge in terms of convenience. But other than that, the ideal length and superior steel-coated PVC material of the cord ensure easy set-up and better longevity.
Pros and Cons of K&H Pet Products Thermo-Peep Pad
Pros
Cons
- OUTDOOR WARMTH: Perfect for peeps and chickens, our heated chicken pad is specially designed to keep chickens and peeps warm when sitting or lying on the pad
- VERSITALE: Chicken heated pad is for indoor or outdoor use and with the pre-drilled hole can easily be mounted vertically or horizontally in your chicken coop to provide your flock with warmth
- DURABLE: Peck resistant features like rigid ABS plastic construction, steel encased capped cord and rounded edges make it perfect for large flocks and baby chicks
3. Petnf Chicken Coop Radiating Heater
Next on my list is another powerful option coming with a high-performing thermostatic panel and a flexible design. At the same time, the brand adopts an eco-friendly approach to keep its power consumption in check which reduces energy consumption more than many other radiant heaters. Read on to know more.
Product Highlights
Interestingly, this coop heater utilizes a combination of convective and radiant heating to provide complete winter protection to your chickens. The system includes a UL-compliant built-in wire and a superior thermostat that provides dual protection continuously. As a result, your birds are shielded from frostbites and other similar effects that result from extreme cold.
The availability of two installation options is another significant advantage, as it makes the heater equally convenient to use in chicken coops of different designs. While you can utilize the included sturdy stand for small to medium-sized coops, the wall-mounted design is perfect for keeping larger flocks comfortable and warm.
Furthermore, the heater requires just 140 W to function effectively, which is merely 9% of the electric power needed by standard 1,500 W space heaters. This helps you save a lot on your power bills while having minimal impact on the environment.
What's There To Like About It?
The stable temperature-adjustment system of this heater is what makes it stand out from many other models. I’ve always valued this feature in coop heaters as the fluctuating winter temperatures in my region often necessitate controlled heating. Note that you can adjust the temperature by 122 to 167°F, which is a reasonable range.
Moreover, the model incorporates a heat-sensitive sticker to alert you to the temperature conditions. It’s black at temperatures below 113°F and turns red in case of higher temperatures.
What's There Not To Like About It?
The surface material of the power cord isn’t as protective as the Cozy Products Chicken Coop Pet Heater. So, I always have to be careful to ensure the birds, especially the hens, don’t peck at it and get hurt in the process. That’s why the latter scores higher in this regard.
Pros and Cons of Petnf Chicken Coop Radiating Heater
Pros
Cons
- 【Thermal Protector & Heat-Sensitive Sticker】: Comes with a power switch with a temperature adjustment range of 122~167℉/(50~75℃); Effective radiant heat range within 40 cm. The heat-sensitive sticker will alert you to the condition of the temperature. (This sticker is black for temperatures below 45℃/ 113℉ and red for temperatures above 45℃/ 113℉).
- 【Energy-efficient Design】: Reducing electricity use is our eco-friendly design philosophy. The power consumption is ONLY 140 Watts makes it more energy efficient than most of others.
- 【UL Test Standards & Thermostatic System】: The built-in heating wire complies with UL standards. Compared with similar products, we have added an additional thermostat which working continuously in the circuit to provide dual protection!
4. Fiada Chicken Coop Heater
I picked this coop heater for my list as it combines premium-quality design with superior durability, something you can get in a select few models. Measuring 15.7” x 11.8”, it’s also suitable for both small and large flocks and comes equipped with a range of safety measures.
Product Highlights
The sturdy and long-lasting materials used for this coop heater ensure it keeps going despite extensive use. You'll find the back and frame of the heating panel are composed of high-quality ABS plastic material that offers superior overheating protection. On the other hand, the electric cord is built of specialized material designed to resist bites and is unlikely to hurt the chickens.
Even the cord is extendable by 9.8 inches, allowing you to keep the panel at any spot in the chicken coop. Plus, the heater comes with both a sturdy wall-mount and a stable stand like my previous recommendation, which facilitates flexible installation.
Coming to the heating elements, they include premium-quality dual thermostats that provide consistent radiant heat to a distance of up to 15 inches. This ensures every bird receives adequate warmth throughout the chilly winter days, irrespective of the coop size.
What's There To Like About It?
The dual-level wattage adjustability of this coop heater makes for an innovative way to guarantee an energy-saving performance.
I’ve been using it for a year now, and I find this feature to be especially helpful as my region experiences more frequent power outages. In between outages, I can effortlessly switch to a lower wattage setting while keeping the warmth intact. Apart from this, the insulated case on the power switch allows me to operate it safely, even with wet hands in between my daily chores.
What's There Not To Like About It?
I sometimes noticed that its thermally sensitive sticker took time to offer results after a temperature change in the thermostat. This is a matter of concern, especially if you have chicks in your coop, as they are more sensitive to even slight temperature changes. As evident from above, the Petnf Chicken Coop Radiating Heater performs better in this regard despite having other similar features.
Pros and Cons of Fiada Chicken Coop Heater
Pros
Cons
- Built-in electrical precautions for safety: made of durable ABS materials with overheating protection design, this chicken coop heater will ensure safety for pets or livestocks
- Good design: the chicken coop heater consumes 100 and 200 watts of electricity; This heater combines the benefits of convection and radiant heat to give you a good effect for your birds
- Thermally sensitive stickers: the plate heater comes with a power switch with a temperature adjustment range of 122-167 Fahrenheit degree/ 50~75 degree centigrade and provides a radiant heat range up to 40 cm; The thermally sensitive sticker will alert you to the condition of the temperature, warn chicken that happen to stand near it
5. SWEETER Infrared Heater
Before ending my list, I’d like to talk about this heater from the popular brand Sweeter that uses a different heating mode for improved results. Measuring 11” x 16”, the model comes with an innovative snap action control for added safety and offers a three-year warranty that’s rare on the market.
Product Highlights
To begin with, this heater is among the few models designed for overhead heating in any coop. And such a heating mode is considered excellent for chicks as it helps develop a uniform heating pattern throughout. To be more precise, the heater offers 176 square inches of uniform and gentle infrared heat that can keep 20 to 30 chicks perfectly comfortable.
Thus, you can rule out the chance of hot spots as with most overhead heaters on the market. Speaking of the surface temperature offered, it ranges from 160 to 180°F based on the prevailing temperature conditions.
Installing this heater is also pretty simple as it comes with a descriptive manual. Moreover, you get all the essential pieces of equipment in the package, including sturdy mounts, hooks, and chains for smooth installation.
What's There To Like About It?
The best part about this coop heater is that it incorporates adequate safety measures to keep the birds protected even with minimal supervision. This is because it comes in a sealed form, unlike the regular radiant heaters, and is perfectly waterproof. Such a protective build allows me to wash it effectively every few months without disturbing the heating mechanism.
Also, the heater offers a smart snap control feature that helps me shut it off whenever the vents turn dirty, and I can sense that the heat isn’t dissipating. .
What's There Not To Like About It?
This model doesn’t have a regulator for heat adjustment, so I have to hang the heater at a different height every time I feel the heat needs to be adjusted. It’s worth noting here that the K&H Pet Products Thermo-Peep Heated Pad surpasses the former in this regard as it includes an in-cord control for the purpose.
Pros and Cons of SWEETER Infrared Heater
Pros
Cons
Buyers Guide
Think of the times when you bought a space heater for your home because, in all probability, you never hurried to choose a suitable model without considering some key factors. Well, you’ll need to do the same before choosing the best chicken coop heater for your birds. That’s why I’ve included this section to make you well-versed with certain factors that affect the performance of a coop heater.
1. Climatic Conditions
The climate of the area where you live is a major point to take into account, as it affects the ability of the heater to consistently warm the chicken coop. Thus, you should ideally go for a model that can maintain the temperature irrespective of the prevailing season.
Note that this is especially essential for regions that experience sub-zero temperatures. That’s because the health of your chickens might be affected substantially if the coop isn’t warm enough during those chilly days.
2. Safety Features
While providing your birds with adequate heat for staying healthy, the heater must come with enough safety measures so that the chickens don’t face any issues while it’s switched on. For instance, you can never totally rule out the risk of overheating and consequent dehydration.
This is why good-quality heaters come with an emergency automatic shut-off feature that gets activated whenever the heat doesn’t escape from the coop. Also, you’ll not want your hens to get hurt while pecking the body of the heater or its power cord.
This necessitates an insulation feature, whereby the heater won’t feel warm to the touch. As for the cords, most of them come with a protective casing to ensure the chickens don’t end up getting hurt.
But that’s not all; advanced models come with insulation measures for the power switches and temperature controls. So, make sure you consider the availability of all such options while choosing the right model. I’d also suggest going through some customer reviews to ascertain whether the safety features are indeed up to the mark.
3. Temperature Adjustment
Notably, you’ll find many coop heaters on the market that function at just one temperature setting. This is suitable for users who require only a consistent and constant heat source to keep their birds warm. Such heaters are often mounted on the ceiling, and the temperature is adjusted by changing the height.
On the other hand, some heaters come with switches to increase the heat level, so they’re more suited for different coops and climates. This makes it easier for users to adjust the heat to a comfortable level for the chickens.
As such, you’ll have to decide whether you’ll need a constant temperature or a changeable one to keep the chickens hale hearty through the changing seasons. If you choose to go for the latter option, check the performance of the temperature adjustment feature by reading through some relevant customer reviews.
4. Ease Of Installation
In the case of heaters coming with complicated instructions for set-up, you can’t completely ignore the risk of incorrect installation. And in such situations, it won’t work the right way, which can affect the health of the birds adversely.
So, always make sure you go for a heater that’s simple to set up. While compiling the reviews, I equally emphasized the ease of installation, so all the models on my list score pretty high in this regard.
5. Cost
When faced with a tight budget, you will naturally prioritize finding an option that’ll meet all your requirements without costing you too much. So, search for a heater with additional features, like adjustable thermostats and automatic timers, to help increase your savings. You may also consider cheaper options like a brooder bulb-type coop heater.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there isn’t any magic number for this, but, typically, freezing weather puts chickens at greater risk of getting frostbites. So, you’ll need to keep them constantly around a heater during such conditions and watch them closely. If you find they aren’t as active as in other situations, it clearly indicates that they require a better heater.
Unless you’re using the heater for chicks, it isn’t necessary to keep the coop toasty warm. That said, I’d suggest keeping the coop temperature at around 40°F. If you want the birds to produce throughout the cold weather, it’s best to keep the temperature within their comfort zone to get the best results and keep them happy.
An electric coop heater is generally regarded as the safest and most reliable type. They aren’t as prone to catching fire as those running on propane or oil.
Interestingly, some electric coop heaters work by heating an internal plate submerged in water that rises to the surface to warm up the chickens. That way, the birds are completely protected from overheating.
My Final Recommendation
On that note, it’s time for me to wrap things up. You might have already chosen the right coop heater for your chickens, so don’t delay providing them with the ideal warmth and protection.
From my first-hand experience with these models, I can vouch that you would get great results with any of them. But before signing off, I’d like to share my favorites from the list.
The Cozy Products Chicken Coop Pet Heater is the best all-rounder, in my opinion, as it offers the right warmth and advanced safety features while not compromising on convenience. However, when it comes to low energy consumption, I feel the K&H Pet Products Thermo-Peep Pad performs the best.
Till next time, take care!