Heating Cable...Your Thoughts?

[DeathFromAbove]

Due to reports of this winter possibly being one of the coldest winters we've had in a long time i though i'd add some heating to my aviary to help on the very cold nights. Was going to use a tubular heater or something similar but i've come across this and thought with a little imagination it could be put to good use.

What does the rest of you think? would be interested in opinions on it...... Has anybody used this before? if so pro's and con's?

here's the description on the website and the pic:

Build your own incubator or use as heating for snake/hatchling rack systems- very economical for large areas
Heating cables are mains operated, fully insulated, safe and easy to use.
Manufacturers recommend you use cable with thermostat
Available in 3 lengths:
50W 10' 3.05m
75W 20' 6.10m
150W 40' 12.2m

[Sean]

sounds like a good idea, would like to here some feedback about it too

[DeathFromAbove]

aye feedback would be good from someone who's used it if anyone has, was thinking about giving it a try, not for the whole aviary mind, just the corner with the highest perch so it creates a little warm corner on a really cold night. don't usually go for the heating thing as i've found that if high enough and out of the wind and rain they manage just fine but as it's meant to be especially cold this year it may be worth a go.

[Shaun Byrne]

aye feedback would be good from someone who's used it if anyone has, was thinking about giving it a try, not for the whole aviary mind, just the corner with the highest perch so it creates a little warm corner on a really cold night. don't usually go for the heating thing as i've found that if high enough and out of the wind and rain they manage just fine but as it's meant to be especially cold this year it may be worth a go.

Hi DFA,
the cable in the photo is called "trace heating", its used to run along pipes, under the insulation to keep the frost off them when installed outside. It only gets slightly warm so doesn't really radiate heat. The only way you could use it for birds would be to install it under a perching surface to keep feet warm.

I personally wouldnt put it in with my birds, like I said it gives off little heat and is easy for a bird to pick if left uncovered. I have also found that mice love it and have been called out dozens of times to repair rodent damage.

HTH

Shaun

[DeathFromAbove]

Hi DFA,
the cable in the photo is called "trace heating", its used to run along pipes, under the insulation to keep the frost off them when installed outside. It only gets slightly warm so doesn't really radiate heat. The only way you could use it for birds would be to install it under a perching surface to keep feet warm.

I personally wouldnt put it in with my birds, like I said it gives off little heat and is easy for a bird to pick if left uncovered. I have also found that mice love it and have been called out dozens of times to repair rodent damage.

HTH

Shaun

Cheers for the advice Hawka. :confused: may have to rethink that idea then... don't rally have a mouse problem so that doesn't worry me, was going to use it to make a sort of 'heated grid' in the corner only to raise the temp in that area by a couple of degrees on really cold nights just to take the edge off. altho i have read it melts thru polystyrene and some plastic if touching it so it must radiate some ammount of heat.....hmmmmm......

[Nero]

I breed snakes and will be using this cable to heat my vivs. It is normally used in greenhouses under soil to keep plants and seedlings warm. Many snake breeders use this and can get quite warm. I would say that if you do intend on using this to also use heat tape, to attach it to the surface that you are going to use it on. If you could attach it to some ally plates that should deflect the heat and give a very warm spot, it is very flexible so can be easily placed. If you look at Jungle greenhouse this is the cheapest i have found.
Hope this helps and let us know how you get on.

[OutFlying]

It would be useless for an open fronted aviary, not enough heat radiated. If your hawk is freelofted and the design of your aviary is right then heat isn't required - ever in this country.

[BFC 007]

It would be useless for an open fronted aviary, not enough heat radiated. If your hawk is freelofted and the design of your aviary is right then heat isn't required - ever in this country.

your right mate,all the winters ive kept birds through & none of them have suffered without a heat source. Thats what feathers are for.

[OutFlying]

I'm sure it gets cold in the desert. Dampness combined with wind chill is the danger not the cold temp's.

[OutFlying]

Socks, hat and scarf - what about that ? A harris shouldn't be tethered at near ground level if a chance of frost unless in a heated housing that prevents the temperature dropping below freezing. Direct heat on the feet isn't going to stop the effects of cold on its wing tips etc.

[Shaun Byrne]

It would be useless for an open fronted aviary, not enough heat radiated. If your hawk is freelofted and the design of your aviary is right then heat isn't required - ever in this country.

I agree, no heaters in any of mine.

[DeathFromAbove]

I don't use heaters of any sort myself usually but i thought it might be prudent to have something on standby should this winter become especially cold.....good suggestion, maybe socks a hat and a scarf 'll do the trick lol :cool:

[Mary Quite Contrary]

Due to reports of this winter possibly being one of the coldest winters we've had in a long time i though i'd add some heating to my aviary to help on the very cold nights. Was going to use a tubular heater or something similar but i've come across this and thought with a little imagination it could be put to good use.

What does the rest of you think? would be interested in opinions on it...... Has anybody used this before? if so pro's and con's?

here's the description on the website and the pic:

Build your own incubator or use as heating for snake/hatchling rack systems- very economical for large areas
Heating cables are mains operated, fully insulated, safe and easy to use.
Manufacturers recommend you use cable with thermostat
Available in 3 lengths:
50W 10' 3.05m
75W 20' 6.10m
150W 40' 12.2m


I use a tublar heater under the night perch.

[Gary.B]

How do keep the **** and the bird off it?

[Barbary Boy]

dos anyone know an equipment supplier that dos hats scarves and little booties for h/hawks?

[Peregrynne]

Just a little thought for those of you concerned with the cold temps. If you want a safe, easy to install method of heating your mews/weathering try running a coil or snaking of garden hose under the floor or across the walls and connect it to a warm/hot water spicket. When the temp drops too much you can run some hot water through the hose and gently warm the area covered. It is commonly used over here for keeping driveways and sidewalks clear of snow.

If you are wanting a perch warmer you can either run the hose under the perch or actually use pvc pipe that the water can run directly through. If it is wrapped as per normal it will be more than enough insulation from the heat for your bird's feet.

Just a thought.

C.

[Hells99]

How about one of these recessed into the ceiling above her perch? Could maybe fix a thermostat to it so it only kicks in when the temp drops below a certain level?

Helen

[SPZ]

Don't know much about heating animals. And I originally come from Africa where heating is not usually required. But basic physics dictates that heat rises. Heating from above is not the most efficient way, unless delivered by infra-red radiation, or ventilation that circulates the air. I'd be sceptical about infra-red radiation, as you may cook a bird that cannot move away when too hot. Heating is very effective from below, particularly if there is no draft to blow it away. This way you can heat a small selected area effectively
Perhaps contacting guys who grow orchids may be able to help. They usually have to keep the hothouses hot enough without cooking their plants. We just won't need the humidity.