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RentACoop

Heat plates, chick brooders, treadle and port feeders, cup and nipple waterers and fence energizers: the RentACoop products in our catalogue, with maker specs.

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RentACoop in our catalogue

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Chicks & broodingChicks & brooding: 88Runs & fencingRuns & fencing: 33Feeders & waterersFeeders & waterers: 1313

What RentACoop makes

RentACoop covers more of the backyard flock than almost any other brand here, from the brooder to the run fence. Its range splits into four groups:

  • Heat plates. Three sizes with anti-roost cones: 10 x 10 in at 15 W (listed for up to 15 chicks), 12 x 12 in at 22 W (up to 20) and 16 x 16 in at 42 W (up to 30). Each has 25 height settings and tilts.
  • Brooders. The Little Red Barn is a fold-flat plastic brooder; the set version adds a heat plate, feeder, waterer and liners.
  • Feeders. Galvanized treadle feeders in 25 and 40 lb (plus a 15 lb extension), Chick2Chicken port feeders from 5 to 10 lb, a large-port feeder and a 65 lb six-port metal feeder.
  • Waterers and fencing. High Rise waterers with cups and nipples, a DIY nipple kit, a heated bucket belt, plug-in fence energizers (0.6 J and 2.0 J) and a ground rod.

Who RentACoop suits

RentACoop fits a first flock well because the pieces grow together: a heat plate and Chick2Chicken feeder in the brooder, then a treadle feeder and High Rise waterer in the coop. The heat plates are a safer alternative to heat lamps, which fire marshals link to coop fires. Size the plate by the chick count the maker lists, and expect it to cover fewer birds as they grow.

The treadle feeders keep feed covered between meals, but hens need a few days to learn the step, and very small bantams may be too light to open them.

Chicks and handwashingIf you brood chicks, wash hands after touching them or the brooder, and keep children under 5 from handling chicks (CDC).

Alternatives from other brands

For heat plates, Premier 1 and Brinsea EcoGlow offer similar chick counts, and K&H's large plate lists up to 30 newborn chicks. For treadle feeders, Grandpa's Feeders is the other well-known galvanized option. Omlet and OverEZ make port feeders.

Compare the field in best brooder heat plates, best treadle feeders, heat plate vs heat lamp and the brooder temperature chart.

RentACoop: questions

Which RentACoop heat plate size do I need?
Go by the maker's count for newly hatched chicks: 10 x 10 in for up to 15, 12 x 12 in for up to 20, 16 x 16 in for up to 30. Size up if you plan to keep chicks under it for several weeks.
Does the RentACoop treadle feeder keep rats out?
It closes the feed off between meals, which helps. Heavy rats can still trip treadles, so clean up spills and store feed in a metal bin.
Can RentACoop waterers be used by chicks?
The 1 gal and 2 gal High Rise waterers come with cups and nipples; the 32 oz chick drinker has a vertical nipple for chicks and a horizontal one for older birds.
What does the RentACoop ground rod guide say?
The listing suggests 3 feet of ground rod per 1 joule of energizer output.