Advice please

[Zobot0110]

I have an omelette coop, but I just don’t feel confident that the chickens will be warm enough in it. It seems to be the same temperature as the outside temperature. The humidity runs pretty high, even though I have the vents open. My other option is to put the chickens in a wooden coop and add a panel heater. I could wrap a tarp around, leave some ventilation . What do you think I should do. Stick with the new omlet pro coop Or try to fix up the older wooden coop and put them in there with the heat. I don’t think I have room in the omlet coop for a heater. They keep saying don’t have a heater in there. Temps this week in my area will be about 10° at night. I’m just trying to make the best decisions I can. I feel pretty nervous about this. It’s the first time I’ve had chickens and I sure don’t want them to suffer.

 

[Bawkbok]

We have an Omlet coop also. Granted, if it gets below freezing here, it is only for a few days in Jan. /Feb. so we don't deal with the weather you do. However, the inside stayed warm last year and they seemed comfortable inside. The company claims they keep the inside cool when hot out and warm inside with cold out. I would encourage you to reach out to an Omlet Ambassador in your area or some other cold climate and speak to them directly. When I've done that, I've had huge success and they've always been a big help to me with ideas, suggestions, what works, what doesn't, etc. To be an ambassador, they've had the product for a while. Go to the Omlet.com site and look up ambassador. it brings up a map depicting locations. Their method for contact is very secure and private. They've done a good job with that aspect of it and you can find someone experiencing the same issues you do.

 

[bill3607]

I have heard of the Omelette coop on here, but had to do a search online to see one. It seems there may be different ones and sizes.

So, people are going to ask you for pictures of everything including the wooden one, how many chicks you have, and your location for starters. So, if you can do that it will help to give you the help you seek.

I would say no heater right off the bat, though.

 

[Bawkbok]

Absolutely no heater in the omlet as it is made of plastic and I would fear melting, warping, etc that could void the warranty, not to mention a fire if it gets too hot. There doesn't seem to be sufficient room inside these coops for anything other than the birds anyway. Definitely no heaters.

 

[perkolator]

You know when you get into your bed and the bedding is cold and not preheated, but a few minutes of body heat makes it comfortable? Same thing in a coop for the chickens. Chickens also have a higher body temperature than humans, and are equipped with down feathers underneath their exterior feathers. No heaters.

 

[Zobot0110]

I’m in Colorado. This is the omelette Coop and the run and a few tarps over the top. Also the Snow this week and also a photo of my original wooden coop. I have 8 chickens. I have one Rhode Island red, four Olive Eggers, two marans, and one Wyandotte. I have added some straw on the ground that they like to kick around.

 

[tlcmurphy]

You know when you get into your bed and the bedding is cold and not preheated, but a few minutes of body heat makes it comfortable? Same thing in a coop for the chickens. Chickens also have a higher body temperature than humans, and are equipped with down feathers underneath their exterior feathers. No heaters.

Excellent analogy!

 

[Zobot0110]

We have an Omlet coop also. Granted, if it gets below freezing here, it is only for a few days in Jan. /Feb. so we don't deal with the weather you do. However, the inside stayed warm last year and they seemed comfortable inside. The company claims they keep the inside cool when hot out and warm inside with cold out. I would encourage you to reach out to an Omlet Ambassador in your area or some other cold climate and speak to them directly. When I've done that, I've had huge success and they've always been a big help to me with ideas, suggestions, what works, what doesn't, etc. To be an ambassador, they've had the product for a while. Go to the Omlet.com site and look up ambassador. it brings up a map depicting locations. Their method for contact is very secure and private. They've done a good job with that aspect of it and you can find someone experiencing the same issues you do.

You are the first person that I have spoken with that actually owns an omlet. Thank you for your advice.

 

[Bawkbok]

You are the first person that I have spoken with that actually owns an omlet. Thank you for your advice.

It looks like you have it pretty well tarped out to deter winds on that open range. (I'm envious of your view, but that's a different issue). Plus, the snow is an insulating factor, keeping it even warmer inside. Just ensure those vents stay open to allow air flow.
I would encourage you to tarp out the open air run on the windy side. We have an Omlet open air run attached to the coop / 9ft run and it is located under trees for shade but I noticed on windy days, they do not like the open gale force wind that whips through so we have tarps strategically placed for that as well.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If wild birds can survive in Colrado's temps, so can your chickens. Just keep them dry and out of the wind, same as wild birds, and they will be fine.