@drmolarmagic I can see where an aviary with mixed birds like you have would be needing heat. Especially with parakeets. How many do you have?
Regular chickens do not need heat, all they really need for cold temps is a draft free coop for shelter. My chickens were fine in my concrete coop...
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If you are heating the coop and the birds are used to warm temps all winter - they will really suffer when the April snowstorm comes through and knocks out power for a couple of days. Let the birds acclimate to the cold winter temps and work to keep the water from freezing. Cold temps...