“These sweeter heaters are really awesome. We have one in each size and we hang them over the roosts each winter. The longest one has been in use, the 3rd winter. The middle size 2 winters and the smaller size, this winter. Each coop has one, and I like that it is a comfortable heat for them. It def takes the edge off, even in this arctic blast. The largest heater is in a bigger coop so it does not heat their living quarters but it does provide warmth while roosting. The medium size is in a smaller coop and it actually keeps the coop cozy. It‚Äôs never ‚Äòwarm‚Äô in there but at night I think they have the luxury because even during the day they like to go in there! The small one is perfect for a small coop housing our 2 roosters. Ever since we got their heater, they‚Äôre cock a doodle-dooing quite brightly at sun up. All of our hens lay all winter and I contribute that to these heaters. The first year we had no heater for them and they did not lay much till early spring. After we got the first SH, they laid ALL winter long. Only time it was sparingly was during molt. This is simple and well built. The initial ‚Äúnew‚Äù smell concerned me but it does dissipate quickly. I highly recommend them. Wish they came in horse size, LOL!!!”
“Absolutely love this heater. Mybirds now have a safe heat source now we are freezing. It‚Äôs perfect for my silkies and their babies. I have several hens that molted then went broody late this year so I‚Äôm sure my momma hens enjoy laying under neath the heater. Plan on ordering a larger one this week because half my birds are pilers like silkies are and half perch so I plan on placing a wall mounted heater next so everyone is snug as a bug this winter. I love that this heater is washable and the fact that the bedding doesn‚Äôt become warm close to the heater. Absoluly a much have for winter months”
“I have been using this Sweeter heater for the last three weeks and it has been great for the chicks. They hang out under the heater and I have lifted it as they have grown. Cleans easily, good heat. Hope it lasts for a few chick flocks for the price (compared to a heat lamp set up). I bought the 11x16 for 24 chicks - this has worked so far. For an extra $34.00 the 11x30 would have been a better fit for this many birds I think since they have tripled in size and spill out the sides under the lamp now. You could also get two 11x16 side by side if your space doesn't allow for the larger ones. The chicks are really much quieter at night, since they are not stimulated by the lights of another type of heat lamp all night, and I have a regular light on them in the day to help establish some normal rhythms day and night. All in all a good purchase if you are planning on having several clutches of chicks over the years and you can re-use it. A bit expensive as a start up though.”
“They are very wobbly, I did buy the largest so maybe that's part of the problem but it was too uncontrolled to hang the way they tell you, bringing both chains to the middle, I hung it from each end separately and it's a little better but if you don't run the cord straight up it pulls the heater and tips it sideways and I didn't know the heater has to be so close to the ground. Would be better with four hanging points, one on each corner. I don't know if a wall mount one would be any better because it has to be so close to what it's heating, I was afraid of the low pecking order chickens not being able to get close enough. I hope it ends up keeping them warm, I'll wait and see and am figuring out a ballast for the side opposite from the cord to counter the tilt”
“We used our 11x40 heater multiple times for multiple groups of chicks and it has never failed us. I've never (well, I anchor the thing so only a huge earthquake could knock it down) worried about fire. We did the overhead one and learned to mount one side a little higher so the chicks could choose their level of heat. My only disappointment came when I brought home a big steel tub for the first group of chicks ... I had gotten the biggest size of heater, and while it fit in the standard 2x4x2 metal tub, it didn't allow for a cooler area- my fault in poor planning. So, we just put the tub on its side and put the heater on a saw horse at the front of their new cave surrounded by a cardboard pen and everything was fine. Recently the broody hens have put it out of business, but you never know- a hen might reject chicks, those feed store chicks you had no intention of bringing home might magically appear in your shopping cart ... so it stands ready for service whenever it's needed. The only gripe is the plastic smell those first few times- so follow the directions and run it until the smell is gone before using it on your peepers.”
