A warning from a firefighter about winter heating....

[patandchickens]

Quote:
I have not done the popcan thing but I have a 4x7 lean-to area (full 8' height) that I plastic-cover for winter and then during sunny days I open the popdoor into it plus the (high) window into the coop, and it functions basically like a walk-in popcan heater

I keep the popdoor and window closed at night and on cloudy days. Note that to do this you have to have good dampness-management on the floor of the area... just doing it on regular ground would be a bit iffy, especially if you let the ground get good and moist before plasticking the thing up and running it for heat.

I get quite a large heat boost from it during the day considering the large size of the building, and it keeps the overall nighttime temps in the building warmer than they'd be otherwise (because bldg is very well insulated and has a slab floor that stores warmth well into late winter)

Not applicable for everyone, but in some situations e.g. mine it can be fairly nifty

The main thing if you want to use any of these passive solar type designs is to design in plenty of thermal mass -- UNinsulated from the indoor air or from the solar heat -- so you get warmth lingering into nighttime. Otherwise you're not doing a whole lot more than making daytime temps higher, which is not really all that useful (it is nighttime lows that are the problem generally in cold winters, not daytime temps)

Pat

 

[cottage19]

Totally agree with all the heat concerns mentioned and we also hesitate to set up a situation where the hens get used to a warm coop only to have the power go out when it's 10 degrees out and the wind is howling. I love my chickens but don't want them hanging out in the house next to the woodstove. My parents always had chickens and the rule was "dry and draft free" - they never heated the coops and never had frozen chickens.

 

[kyrose]

this is my second winter with chickens.i used heat lamps last year but was always afraid of fire,so this year im trying no heat and see what happens.i have 45 small and large birds together in a 243 sq.ft. coop.i have 2 heated dog bowls and no extra lighting.we have been having some unnaturally cold weather for this time of year.only in the 20's during the day and down to 12 at night.ive been a little nervous but so far they have been totally fine.i sleep alot better without those heat lamps in the coop.i think its hard for us,being nuturers,to think that our beloved pets might be uncomfortable.

 

[MaureenL128]

We also have gotten the heat lamp from www.premier1supplies.com .....it seems safe...we are going to thoroughly secure it in the coop this weekend and see how we feel about it.

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

Quote:
Your chickens will be fine with not heat. 20's during the day with a low of 12 is warm around here in the winter. Mine only get a lamp if its -20.

 

[kyrose]

Quote:
Your chickens will be fine with not heat. 20's during the day with a low of 12 is warm around here in the winter. Mine only get a lamp if its -20.

actually i was more worried about fire than i am about them being cold...i was a newbie last year,ive learned alot since than.thank you byc...

 

[johny]

For everyone who has stories about chicken doing fine without heat, I'm glad it worked out for you.
I have a well insulated coop and the only heat is 125W heater base for their water.

But I can't help thinking, these birds originated in South East Asia where they sure have never experienced several weeks of -40 temperature like we often get every january.
The temptation to turn on the heat lamp will be really strong.

 

[schmism]

got to love the safety police on the Internets....

granted my coupe caught fire last winter but the heat lamp had nothing to do with it.

 

[Desert Rooster]

im running a 12v heating system in my coop, they are two small heaters that are made for cars that plug in the lighter socket

 

[RoeDylanda]

I'm brand new and planning for chicks in March, but wanted to chime in with thanks to the firefighters for their input! I'm still hip-deep in planning/design, but if I come up with any brilliant insulation ideas I'll surely post them (don't hold your breath). Waterer cozies?

I've been reading here for a few weeks. You seem like a lovely bunch! I'll go do a proper introduction on the newbie thread.