If you have chickens or getting them, you want to get the best kit you can afford. Feeders, waterers, doors, the list goes on and on. To help you make the right choices, look at our reviews.
We do the hard work and sort through all the products to bring you the top kit on the market. We’re nice like that! Today, we are taking a look at the best chicken coop heaters.
Chicken breeders like to have their opinions. They all think they have the right ideas and the best knowledge. But what’s right for one coop may not be right for another. Maybe you have a tough, hardy breed, or delicate pedigree bird. Maybe you have newly hatched chicks. So read on and find which heater is right for you.
Image | Product Name | Power | Price |
 | 1. Cozy Products CL Safe Chicken Coop Heater | 200 Watts | |
 | 2. Sweeter Heater Safe Heater | 150 Watts | |
 | 3. K&H Pet Products Thermo-Peep Heated Pad | 25 Watts | |
 | 4. Brinsea EcoGlow Brooder | 18 Watts | |
 | 5. K&H Pet Products Thermo Chicken Heated Perch | 40 Watts |
Contents
Top 5 Best Chicken Coop Heater Reviews
1. Cozy Products CL Safe Chicken Coop Heater
This flat, upright panel heater by Cozy Coop looks like a small radiator. It is a great choice for smaller coops. Using 200W of power this is a safe, energy-efficient heater. It will heat itself to 130degF and hold that temperature, maintaining a cozy warm zone all around it. No part gets too hot so there is no risk of burns to the flock.
Radiant heat is very efficient and does not blast heat out into the coop. If the birds are cold they can stay close to the heater.
No bulbs to be broken or complicated display panels. This is really user-friendly and definitely chicken-friendly!
It’s small enough and light enough to move around easily, but you will need an extension power cord if you want it away from the power socket.
With two temperature settings, a clearly visible on/off light, and available at a pocket-friendly price, this is a really popular heater.
Pros
- Energy efficient, kind to the environment
- Lightweight and easy to operate
- Safe, warm zone for birds
- Budget friendly
Cons
- Suitable for smaller coops only
- Only two heat settings
2. Sweeter Heater Safe Heater
The fun named Sweeter Heater is an overhead hung, infrared heater. The included chain is used to hang the heater from an overhead fixing point so that it hangs a foot or two above the ground.
You can adjust the height to suit your birds. Chicks will need it to lower down, bigger birds a bit higher. As it can be hung at any height it can be used for almost any animal you like!
Just remember to keep it at least 6 inches from the floor or any combustible material, like hay, straw bedding, etc.
Working at an energy-friendly 150W of power this heater delivers infrared heat to anything below it. No hot spots or cold zones, just a nice 160-180degF of constant heat.
This heater is made right here in the USA in Wisconsin, and the manufacturer is so confident of the quality and craftsmanship that has gone into it they offer a 3-year warranty which is very good for the industry.
Pros
- Easily adjusts to the desired height
- Suitable for many different animals
- Energy-efficient, low running cost
- Warranty offered
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Must be careful with combustible materials
- Can give off a smell for the first day or two
- Only suitable for a small number of birds
3. K&H Pet Products Thermo-Peep Heated Pad
This is exactly what it says it is – a heated pad! It is such a neat idea. It’s small, only 9” x 12”, but it is super versatile. Mount it flat or on a wall, on the floor of the coop, in a nest box, or wherever you like.
It has 4 screw holes in each corner so it can be fixed in place. Of course, if it is placed on the floor it will have chickens running and pooping all over it, but the mat is tough and easy to clean. It is specially designed to resist chewing and pecking.
It comes with a 5.5-foot long power cord. The first 18 inches of this are covered in a steel coat to prevent any damage by typically curious chickens!
Being a small mat it is really designed only for a few chicks in their early days. Cold can be a killer to young birds so this has a thermostat set to turn on and off when needed.
While it doesn’t really feel hot to the touch, the heat is absorbed by anything placed on the mat for a few minutes. A young chick taking a nap on this will soon be cozy warm.
It uses only 25 W of power and only comes on when the thermostat clicks in, so you will hardly notice any difference to your power bills. Always a winner in my opinion!
Pros
- Small and really versatile
- Low energy consumption
- Tough protected and easy to clean
- Simple design, very little to go wrong
- 1 year warranty
Cons
- Very small in size
- Only heats what’s on it, not the area
4. Brinsea EcoGlow Brooder
Designed specifically for newborn chicks and ducklings, Brinsea has thrown everything into the design of this heater. Four upright poles hold a radiant heater that can slide up and down the poles to adjust the height. Think of it like a table top sliding up and down on its legs.
The changing height adjusts to three different settings. So as the chicks get older, or for bigger birds like ducklings, you just slide the heater up or down to another level.
This particular model is big enough to accommodate 20 cold little chicks, but there are bigger versions on the market from this manufacturer. If you are going really big scale you can even place up to 4 of these brooders next to each other!
A radiant heater like this one uses heat waves to transfer the heat from the heater to another object, the chick. It does not heat the air in between. And it is totally safe for the chicks to touch the heater itself so they can nestle up to it as if it was their own mother. How cute is that!
A 10-foot power cable connects to a 12V transformer (included) and uses only 18W of electricity to run, making it very economical.
Pros
- Safe and economical
- Can scale up to heat more chicks
- Brinsea have 40 years of manufacturing experience
- Easy to use and easy to clean
- Cozy substitute for a mother hen
Cons
- Only 3 heights, won’t suit larger animals
- Costs more than some heaters
- Flat top, needs regular cleaning
5. K&H Pet Products Thermo Chicken Heated Perch
K&H proves that they really do think of everything when it comes to keeping chickens warm and safe. You can really see the thinking behind this product.
Chickens have nice fluffy feathers to keep themselves warm, right? But their feet are just skin and bones! Warm air rises, so why have heaters facing down?
And so, behold the heated perch. No more frozen toes!
This perch is a 26” long black bar with two legs at either end to keep it stable. Electrically heated and MET Safety Tested, the bar is warm all along its length. Chickens hop up onto the porch and the warmth rises up through their feet. Warm blood in the feet is then circulated through the rest of the body. Any warm air also helps heat their undersides.
5.5 feet of power cord pull in 40W of electricity, and dual thermostats help keep a regular temperature on the perch.
It’s such a simple design but works so well. This should be on everybody’s list. As we all know, there is nothing worse than cold feet in the winter!
Pros
- Simple, safe, and effective
- Efficiently heats the bird’s body
- Ergonomically designed for chickens’ feet
- Can use more than one in the coop
Cons
- Not suitable for chicks or younger birds
- Relatively high power use compared to some heaters
Buyers Guide to Coop Heaters
While we have listed 5 of the best products on the market right now, there are lots and lots of different products out there. This can make what seems a simple decision into a confusing mass of questions with very few answers.
So let me help you out. These are the main things you should be thinking about before choosing a heater.
Chicks, Chickens or Goats?
Different heaters have different purposes, as we can see above. There is not a ‘one size fits all’ option, but some are more versatile than others.
Do you have hens or chicks? Will you get chicks in the future? Do you have any other animals you might like to keep warm with the heater?
Some heaters will only work for a few very young chicks, some bigger heaters will work with ducks, wildfowl, or even some smaller farmyard animals like goats and pigs.
Think carefully about what you will use the heater for and choose accordingly.
Heating Method and Power Usage
These two are quite closely linked so think of them at the same time.
Bulb heaters can use a lot of energy but can heat a large area. They get hotter the nearer to the bulb you get and so can get too hot. There is also safety to consider – they can get damaged and can cause a fire.
Radiant heaters and infrared are more energy-efficient and safer. There are no risk of fire, not hot or cold spots and if the birds get too hot they can move away.
Consider also the power supply and how you will connect the heater to the power. Maybe find one that suits your current supply to save changing the whole system.
How much heat, and when?
Do you want a constant supply of heat all year round, or something that comes on only when it gets cold? Do you live in a very cold climate or somewhere where the heater will only be used on very few days a year?
Overworking a small heater in a cold climate is risking damage to the heater, so think carefully and choose wisely.
Also, check the thermostat settings of the heater if applicable. Make sure they work at temperatures to suit your requirements
Fixing and Location of Heater
Consider where you would like to place the heater and whether it has the right fixings to mount it there. Some can be wall-mounted while most are designed to be placed on the floor or hung from above. Some can be angled so that smaller birds can get in close to the heat while bigger birds are snug further back.
Check also the length of the power cord and whether it will reach your socket, or if an extension will be needed
FAQs
Is the item water resistant?
Most heaters are designed to be used inside a coop or shed and not out in the yard. If you want to use it outside, check the weatherproof rating of the product.
Does the heater have a warranty?
All manufacturers seem to offer different warranties. Heaters should come with some form of warranty, generally from 1 to 4 years.
Can you use shavings/straw/bedding under this heater?
Some heaters are not suitable to be used in close proximity to combustible materials. Check with the manufacturer or product description if it is safe to use in this environment.
Can I use the heater to stop the waterer from freezing?
Some heaters are more versatile than others and can be used for many purposes. Always check the description or with the manufacturer before using it for anything other than its intended use.
How many chicks can you get under this heater?
Heaters come in many sizes and all will suit a certain number of chicks. Check the area heated by the unit and read the description. Most manufacturers will list the ideal number of birds suited to the heater.
Conclusion
Gosh! I bet you never thought there would be so much to think about! But heaters are vital bits of equipment in the coop. They can make the difference between life and death and so it’s worth taking some time to get the best chicken coop heater for you.
I hope you have enjoyed this review. Please feel free to leave a comment in the area provided, we would love to see your feedback!
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