Adding heat to coop in winter?

[aart]

The sad truth is there are risks simply supplying electricity to the coop. ....
Personally, I fear the wiring more than the appliances

Absolutely!

 

[LeggyLeghorn]

each time winter starts to roll in I think about making a cinder block heater... I don't expect it to heat the whole coop so much as give the chickens a warm spot to huddle on the days we have ground blizzards and they refuse to go outside...

cool

 

[woodmort]

We can get to 20 below. My coop is not heated but well ventilated and insulated--ceiling and walls--never had a problem in over 30 years except maybe a frost bit comb. (I also don't regularly keep birds with high combs and big wattles.) That being said, I do have a heater under the waterer primarily because it's a pain when it freezes.

BTW, if you're going to use extension cords in you coop, for heavens sake make sure they are #12 wire.

 

[Headhen3]

This not a reply but a comment on this site today. I keep getting ads superimposed over what I am trying to read. First one had an “x” but when I clicked it I got:”google has closed ad” but it did not disappear. I understand you have to sell ads but if they interfere with the sire then what’s the point?

 

[aart]

This not a reply but a comment on this site today. I keep getting ads superimposed over what I am trying to read. First one had an “x” but when I clicked it I got:”google has closed ad” but it did not disappear. I understand you have to sell ads but if they interfere with the sire then what’s the point?

@Headhen3 You need to post your ad problems here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ads-woven-into-covering-content.1332462/

 

[woodmort]

This not a reply but a comment on this site today. I keep getting ads superimposed over what I am trying to read. First one had an “x” but when I clicked it I got:”google has closed ad” but it did not disappear. I understand you have to sell ads but if they interfere with the sire then what’s the point?

You may have a browser or computer problem.

 

[ijon]

Ever since I got Buckeyes. There have been no mice sighting in the coop. I used to go to the coop and flip on the light and have them running all over. I read a article about Buckeyes and it said they were hell on rodents. Modern day raptors.

 

[Northern Flights]

We can get to 20 below. My coop is not heated but well ventilated and insulated--ceiling and walls--never had a problem in over 30 years except maybe a frost bit comb. (I also don't regularly keep birds with high combs and big wattles.) That being said, I do have a heater under the waterer primarily because it's a pain when it freezes.

BTW, if you're going to use extension cords in you coop, for heavens sake make sure they are #12 wire.

10 gauge. That's 30 "safeish" amps. Depending on multiple parameters. Consult an electrician. It's worth it.

 

[woodmort]

10 gauge. That's 30 "safeish" amps. Depending on multiple parameters. Consult an electrician. It's worth it.

Most house wiring is 12 or 14 so using an extension cord of that gauge is ok. I agree that if it is for a heating device 10 would be better but it's hard to find in extension cords--12 is safe. Further, make sure whatever gauge you use it is long enough to reach from the outlet(don't couple two or three together) and can be strung, preferably, along the ceiling. I find cup hooks work great. And, for goodness sake, done use those light, lamp cord extension cords--I won't even use those in the house.

 

[CBorden77]

I am also in Montana (Northwest) and this is my first winter with chickens- the coop was built by the previous owner and has both a heat lamp and light. After reading much of the discussion, I think I want to remove both, and just keep the water warmer. But ... I use shavings in the coop, and hay in the run. Should I keep
more of both in lieu of the heat source? (I am okay w less eggs in the winter due to less light) My main concern is keeping my layers warm enough.