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Hot box....... need ideas to build one
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cornncows
Posted 1/30/2018 20:18 (#6543197)
Subject: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


Ne Nebraska		Looking for ideas on building a hot box. Would like to maybe use a pallet for a base and build a 4x4’ box over it. What would it take to heat a 4x4x6’ tall box? Is plywood sides good enough? Anyone have any ideas or suggestions you have liked? Thanks for any help and thoughts. Our heated shop is nice but not enough to get a calf warm and keep it warm.
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Supa Dexta
Posted 1/30/2018 20:22 (#6543214 - in reply to #6543197)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one



NS Canada		Seen a pic of a plastic tote with a door cut in the side, and a heat lamp in the top. Quick and easy.
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cah
Posted 1/30/2018 20:39 (#6543274 - in reply to #6543214)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one



Western Nebraska		Careful with lamps. They break and shatter becoming a fire hazard
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Supa Dexta
Posted 1/30/2018 20:56 (#6543333 - in reply to #6543214)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one



NS Canada		Here it is.





(26113841_1889875454360438_977397678944184123_n.jpg)



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Attachments 26113841_1889875454360438_977397678944184123_n.jpg (88KB - 285 downloads)
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Balzy
Posted 1/30/2018 20:58 (#6543341 - in reply to #6543333)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


central Iowa		I did that, but hung a milk house heater in there too
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dale8670
Posted 1/30/2018 20:36 (#6543265 - in reply to #6543197)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


SE Iowa		I made one think its roughly 4'x2' I based it around flooring from a hog nursery think they were 20"x20" they are raised up roughly 12"-16" with a space heater with a thermostat under it. has a vent on top and bottom its roughly 3'-4' tall
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cah
Posted 1/30/2018 20:44 (#6543290 - in reply to #6543197)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one



Western Nebraska		Cut a pallet down to size and put plywood box over and around the pallet. Carry in back of pickup. To warm calf open wood door and place metal screen in place so calf won't fall out,we use propane forced blower/heater so no scent lingering on calf. Pull truck in shop and blow dry calf.
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stanredrider
Posted 1/30/2018 20:47 (#6543296 - in reply to #6543197)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


Westside, IA		A friend used a plastic tote and simply used a hair dryer for heat said it works great. Think he just cut in half and added a hinge to the top.
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wi7140
Posted 1/30/2018 20:53 (#6543324 - in reply to #6543296)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


We made one out of plywood. We cut a hole on top for a heat lamp. Thought it worked great until we noticed all the moisture inside and had to treat a lot of the calves for pneumonia.
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lgn98868
Posted 1/30/2018 20:50 (#6543307 - in reply to #6543197)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


KY		Get an old tub or wheelbarrow or something. Circulating warm water is most effective way to warm a calf.
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GuernseyGuy
Posted 1/30/2018 20:51 (#6543313 - in reply to #6543197)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


WCOH		.



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buckmaster
Posted 1/30/2018 21:07 (#6543370 - in reply to #6543197)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


ND		Koehn warmer is worth the money.
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Pigsncows
Posted 1/30/2018 21:30 (#6543443 - in reply to #6543370)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


Lineville iowa		+1 on koehn. We have two wooden and bought the Koehn last year well worth it.
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beanplanter
Posted 1/31/2018 10:17 (#6544303 - in reply to #6543370)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


Missouri

I agree. They've only got to save one calf to pay for themselves. The floor is made right, the heat is in the right spot, and the circulation is good. No complaints with mine. I do lay an old rubber backed commercial type rug under the heater end to attempt to keep it from sucking in a bunch of dirt and straw. 


...added pic.

 



Edited by beanplanter 1/31/2018 10:20
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buckmaster
Posted 1/31/2018 16:25 (#6544888 - in reply to #6544303)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


ND


I think this koehn gives about the best chance there is to keep a calf alive. Yet it is easy to clean hose it down or power wash it. I can put a calf in there and go back to work in an hour or so they are ready to go. Sure is better than the old way with towels and a hair drier

I hate it when it is my fault I have a cow crying about missing a calf because it is dead, I allways feel sorry for the old girl.  So $500 for this koehn is the way to go for me.

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801486
Posted 1/30/2018 22:50 (#6543631 - in reply to #6543197)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


west central Iowa		www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension-aben/buildingplans/beef

There's a plan on this page you can download. Its not real clear, but the important part is the expanded metal floor above the plywood floor so the heat from the milk house heater can get under the calf,and I used a piece of old hog panel to put between the calf and the heater.
The first time I needed the box I had the wood part built, but I didn't have the expanded metal for the floor. I put the calf in the box with two heat lamps on him while I took an hour getting the expanded metal for the floor, after an hour under the heat lamps he was still shivering, but after a half hour with the heater he was standing up bellering wanting out.
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customcutter
Posted 1/30/2018 23:37 (#6543675 - in reply to #6543631)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


Panhandle of Nebraska		We built one out of plywood 4'x8'. Cut a hole in the bottom to put in a space heater. Used heat expanded metal 2' from the bottom. To put calves on. Vent holes in the top. One 8' side opens to put calves in. I can get some pictures if you'd like. Email is good!
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BeeBe Draw Kid
Posted 1/31/2018 00:00 (#6543691 - in reply to #6543197)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


La Salle, Colorado		6 ft tall is to tall. heat rises and doesn't warm the calf. 3 or 4 ft tall is ok. We have a Roy-al . it uses a caframa brand 1500 watt heater that you can get from amazon.
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mmbeef
Posted 1/31/2018 04:25 (#6543743 - in reply to #6543691)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


+1 on koehn. I built several variations of a hot box, but as the above poster said, koehn is worth the $$ imo. Dry heat from underneath is hard to beat.
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cornncows
Posted 1/31/2018 07:07 (#6543902 - in reply to #6543743)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


Ne Nebraska		Lots of Good ideas everyone!!! Sounds like I need calf elevated with heat source below them. I like the expanded metal idea. A fan or a heater with blower sounds like a must as well to keep air circulating.

How much ventilation does it need on the top with a heat source blowing in under calf?

Would a 4x4 area hold 2-3 calves ok?

How many watt heater should a guy get if it’s run consistently? Don’t want to over do it.
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801486
Posted 1/31/2018 08:15 (#6544034 - in reply to #6543902)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


west central Iowa
cornncows - 1/31/2018 07:07

Lots of Good ideas everyone!!! Sounds like I need calf elevated with heat source below them. I like the expanded metal idea. A fan or a heater with blower sounds like a must as well to keep air circulating.

How much ventilation does it need on the top with a heat source blowing in under calf?

Would a 4x4 area hold 2-3 calves ok?

How many watt heater should a guy get if it’s run consistently? Don’t want to over do it.


The one I built is about 2' wide and 4' long and 3' high. The hog panel blocks off about a foot of one end for the 1500 watt heater. The expanded metal floor is 2' by 3' and is a 2x4 width above the plywood bottom. If you make it bigger for more calve you might a bigger heater. I just left the door on the end where I put the calf in a couple inches short for some ventilation.
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Abomb
Posted 1/31/2018 08:26 (#6544064 - in reply to #6543902)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


I will Look around later and see if I have any tenderfoot pig flooring laying around yet if I do you can have it for free
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1448
Posted 1/31/2018 08:32 (#6544077 - in reply to #6544064)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


s.w. IA		Tenderfoot works great . I made a table about 4x6 and two feet off the floor with sidewalls 2 feet high.
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Red Cows
Posted 1/31/2018 08:49 (#6544110 - in reply to #6543197)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


SE SD		One I made. Moisture vents to outside. I set thermostat at about 110 degrees and in a couple hours he's thrashing around in there ready to come out and suck. Whole lot cheaper than a boughten one

Edited by Red Cows 1/31/2018 08:53




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School Of Hard Knock
Posted 1/31/2018 09:00 (#6544140 - in reply to #6544110)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


just a tish NE of central ND
Red Cows - 1/31/2018 07:49

One I made. Moisture vents to outside

I made one remarkably close to the one in the photo, expanded metal, 4 x4 x4 with vent holes. I milk house heater underneath with a tin heat sheild....it was build out of too light of framework on the door end but worked just fine.All was good until an unruley mother that was in the same pen got determined to get to the calf and (long story) pushed on it untill she got her way into it.(:
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Red Cows
Posted 1/31/2018 10:40 (#6544346 - in reply to #6544140)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


SE SD		Wow! Good momma huh? I have this in my warm room so no crazys can get to it.
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cornncows
Posted 1/31/2018 09:01 (#6544142 - in reply to #6544110)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


Ne Nebraska		Thanks for the pics!! I like the looks of that.
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agboy190xt
Posted 1/31/2018 13:53 (#6544656 - in reply to #6543197)
Subject: RE: Hot box....... need ideas to build one


Central Iowa		I agree with bean planter. We bought one of them because they are designed right. Hot air flow is important and they'll last forever.
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