Heating your chicken coop with heaters and lamps is something that everyone has a different opinion on. In the past, chicken owners were limited strictly to brooder lamps. These were highly dangerous with dust, feathers, and live creatures hanging around. With new technology, there is a safe way to heat your chicken coops and keep your feathered friends warm. We’ve scoured the internet for the chicken coop heaters and heat lamps with the best reviews and put all the pertinent information in one place so that you can make a quick yet informed decision about which to use at your home.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2024)

RatingImageProductDetails
Best Overall
Winner
Cozy Products Coop Heater Cozy Products Coop Heater
  • Fairly priced
  • Low wattage
  • Long cord
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Petnf Chicken Coop Heater Petnf Chicken Coop Heater
  • Low price
  • Secure
  • Controlled heating distance
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Brinsea EcoGlow Chick and Duckling Brooder Brinsea EcoGlow Chick and Duckling Brooder
  • Adjustable height
  • No bright lights
  • Low voltage, so there is less danger
  • SWEETER HEATER Infrared Heater SWEETER HEATER Infrared Heater
  • Trusted brand
  • Even heating
  • Heats up to 1 foot away
  • VIVOSUN Clamp Lamp Light VIVOSUN Clamp Lamp Light
  • Cheap
  • Practical
  • Easy to secure
  • The 5 Best Chicken Coop Heaters and Heat Lamps

    1. Cozy Products CL Cozy Safe Chicken Coop Heater – Best Overall

    Cozy Products CL Cozy Safe Chicken Coop Heater

    Weight:6 pounds
    Voltage:120V
    Cord Length:9’ 10”

    One of the biggest attractants to the Cozy Products Coop Heater is that it has the ability to regulate the temperature inside your chicken coop during the colder winter months. This ensures that your chickens stay warm and toasty without overheating. The one drawback to this heater design is that it doesn’t have an automatic shut-off. If you need it to turn off after a certain amount of time, you have to walk outside and do it yourself.

    On the upside, this coop heater is great if you’re looking for a low-maintenance option. There are zero light bulbs that have to be replaced and it generates warmth only a few minutes after plugging it in. The low wattage is ideal for animal habitats, and the long, peck-proof cord easily reaches all corners of the coop.

    The Cozy Products Heater is also on the cheaper side and is energy-efficient, so you’re saving money year-round.

    Pros
    • Fairly priced
    • Low wattage
    • Long cord
    • Self-regulating
    • Peck-proof cord
    Cons
    • No automatic turn-off

    2. Petnf Chicken Coop Heater – Best Value

    chicken coop heater

    Weight:2.64 pounds
    Voltage:120V
    Cord Length:9’ 8”

    This coop heater was built with chicken safety in mind. This heater has attachments at both the top and bottom. All you have to do is tightly screw down the legs and the heater is secure, so it won’t fall into dry hay or get damaged. On top of that, it only radiates heat to about a foot away. The chickens can get close to the heat source when they’re cold and move away after getting toasty.

    The Petnf Coop Heater is one of the cheapest options on the market, with others skyrocketing into the hundred-dollar mark. It isn’t always necessary to pay the highest dollar amount for products that are safe and only a fraction of the price.

    This coop heater has an eco-friendly design with minimal wattage so that it doesn’t make your electric bill skyrocket. If anything goes wrong with it, the company offers a 2-year warranty.

    One quality that you might find interesting about this design is the color-changing sticker that lets you know when it is getting too hot. This is a nice visual, but not always the best way to measure heat when dealing with live animals.

    Pros
    • Low price
    • Secure
    • Long cord
    • Controlled heating distance
    • 2-year warranty
    Cons
    • Sticker indicated temperature changes

    3. Brinsea EcoGlow Safety 600 Chick and Duckling Brooder – Premium Choice

    Brinsea EcoGlow Safety 600 Chick and Duckling Brooder

    Weight:1 pound
    Voltage:12V
    Cord Length:10’

    For those with young chicks, this brooder is one of the best on the market. It helps keep your feathered friends warm as they grow and age and has a low-power warmth with no lights so that they stay warm and feel safe.

    The Brinsea EcoGlow is ideal for those with growing birds because the height is completely adjustable. You can buy this brooder when they are babies and continue to use it as they mature. The heat-proof plastic isn’t dangerous, and the indicator light on it lets you know when it is on or off.

    Although many people love this heater, there are some downfalls. First, it isn’t the most pocket-friendly option on the market. Though it isn’t too expensive, there are equally performing products out there for less money. On top of that, it isn’t very large. It can accommodate about 20 chicks, but this number drastically decreases as they grow, and more heaters may have to be purchased to keep them all warm.

    Pros
    • Adjustable height
    • No bright lights
    • Low voltage so there is less danger
    Cons
    • Chicks grow out of it
    • Pricey

    4. SWEETER HEATER Infrared Heater

    SWEETER Infrared Heater

    Weight:2 pounds
    Voltage:220V
    Cord Length:3’

    The SWEETER HEATER Infrared Coop Heater is another excellent product. It is known for lasting for years, but if that doesn’t make you feel safe, the 3-year warranty should soothe your mind.

    The flat design is great for developing an even warmth with no hot spots, and the overhead mount is easy to hang with sturdy hangs and hooks. This heater has been around since the ‘90s and is a reliable option among homesteaders, farmers, and animal lovers in general.

    The biggest turn-off about this product is the expensive price. With so many products on the market, it’s easy to look elsewhere, however, the limited heating range is a great way to guarantee your chickens don’t get overheated. Unfortunately, the short cord limits where you can put this heater inside your coop.

    Pros
    • Trusted brand
    • Even heating
    • Heats up to 1 foot away
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Short cord

    5. VIVOSUN Clamp Lamp Light

    vivosum clamp lamp

    Weight:1.4 pounds
    Voltage:120V
    Cord Length:6’

    Clamp lamps are practical, and that’s why so many chicken owners like having them in their coops. The VIVOSUN Clamp Lamp is no exception. The clamp that secures the lamp is easy to squeeze and has a screw to secure. However, this isn’t the most secure option, and these types of lamps pose a major risk to your flock if they fall. The long cord is great for moving the lamp to different locations, but it isn’t peck-proof and it could have exposed wires over time.

    A lot of chicken owners are drawn to this lamp for the cheap price, but remember, cheaper doesn’t mean it is safe to use. Chicken owners always pose a risk with lamps that have no heat-regulation technology.

    Pros
    • Cheap
    Cons
    • Unsafe cord
    • Not secure
    • Develops hot spots

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    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Chicken Coop Heater and Heat Lamp

    There are a lot of heating products on the market, and it’s tempting to grab any heat lamp and buy it without doing the proper research. There is a lot of talk among those who raise chickens, and a lot of people have different opinions on using heating sources in the coops. While some say that it is necessary during winter, others have experienced some devastating losses from unsafe heat lamps.

    Types of Heaters and Lamps

    In the past, the only type of heater for chicks was a basic brooder lamp. If not used with caution, these lamps can be extremely dangerous and could be deadly to your flock. There are some other, safer options on the market now, but you should always keep a close eye on the backyard to make sure your chickens are always safe.

    Flat-panel

    Flat-panel heaters are becoming increasingly popular and are one of the safest options today. These lamps eliminate the need for bulbs, so you don’t have to replace them and the heat stays contained to one specific area. One heater usually provides plenty of warmth for five or six chickens, and they are easy to install so that they’re always mounted and secure.

    Infrared

    Infrared heaters are another option that people turn to when trying to heat their chicken coops. Infrared heaters shut themselves off whenever a desired temperature is reached. Because they regulate the temperature, you have a lot more peace of mind leaving your chickens unsupervised overnight. These heaters are usually more expensive, but they often come with warranties to give the consumers some guaranteed longevity.

    Brooder Plates and Lamps

    Brooder plates and lamps are the least ideal for adult chickens. While they are somewhat safe for baby chicks, they can’t be left for long periods without being checked on. The plates allow the babies a place to gather and keep warm but check on them periodically just in case.

    The brooder lamps are the least recommended of all products. These are still used today, but they pose a much more serious fire hazard than the other options. The last thing you want to do is walk out into the backyard only to be hit with complete devastation. They become more dangerous if there is a lot of dust, feces, or straw in the coop, so if you do plan to use one, keep the chicken coop immaculately clean.

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    Conclusion

    Now that you’ve taken a look over the reviews of the best chicken coop heaters and heat lamps on the market, you should be ready to make a decision. The Cozy Products Heater is a top choice because it has the most safety precautions put into place and is marked at a fair price, while the Petnf Chicken Coop Heater is the best product for your money. It can be a stressful challenge to select the right heating lamp because you don’t want to make a mistake that is detrimental to your flock. Hopefully, you can use this article to guide your choice and make the best decision for your chickens.


    Featured Image Credit: ArtisticOperations, Pixabay