Are you northern members ready for winter?

[Ken H]

I built my coop this summer. As I have never had chickens before, I tried to take everything into consideration. The whole coop has inner and outer sheathing with 1 1/2" insulation throughout. The windows are triple pane. I have two deep red heat lamps at 250 watts each controlled by a thermostat set at 35 degrees. The coop is designed to be able to maintain 55 degrees at a -20 degree outdoor air temp. A 40 watt light is there for light and is on a timer in series with a photo-cell overide. That means if there is enough outdoor light, the electric bulb won't come on. I built the coop on a trailer for easy mobility. In the deep winter, I should be able to keep the chicken door open so the girls can go outside if they want and still maintain above freezing temps inside the coop. Here's a few pictures.

 

[fasbendera]

Oh my you are ready. I have just started.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

WOW... KUDOS! You have built a very well thought out and posh home for your chooks!
You will certainly be ready.

 

[antlers]

Coop looks awsome. Just some thoughts on my part.

Based on the size in the pics I cant see you needing 2 -250 watt lamps. I have one in a 8x12 coop and it never freezes evne in -40 F weather.
Having the lights on a thermostat ? Not sure I like that idea. Wake up the the girls at night and off the roosts and then they go out when it warm up.... Maybe they will get used to it.

 

[Ken H]

The deep red heat lamps should not disturb the girls. Very little light in the visible spectrum. I wanted extra heat capacity so I could keep the coop door open during the day and still keep the coop at 35 degrees easily.

 

[Danigirl3]

I am almost ready, I think. My windows are only single pane I wonder if maybe I should put some plastic on the outside for winter.................. Cute coop. Just out of curiosity where are you located?

 

[ChickenToes]

Um....no, not ready at all unfortunately. We'll have to run lights out to the coop to compensate for the shorter days, and I really should finish insulating the coop. There's just not enough time in the day! It's a good thing I have ducks, they don't really care if it's cold out or not.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Er, is there a particular reason WHY you'd want to do that, because that is much much warmer than healthy chickens need (even bantams or large-combed breeds) in a decently managed coop.

That is a lot of electricity to waste, and potential fire hazard, for no purpose. Honest, chickens do pretty well with cold... and 35 F is not *approaching* real cold for them.

You do have to have adequate ventilation. If you shut the coop up tight, with only a pophole for air, you *might* need to blast yer electric bill out the roof, because you'll end up with so much humidity. But with sensible ventilation, even though yes that makes the coop a little cooler, the air is DRY and thus not apt to cause frostbite except at Real Very Cold temps.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[patman75]

Not ready at all!

Next week I'm on vacation and that week is dedicated to building a new winter coop.

 

[teach1rusl]

Great looking coop...love that it's on wheels! I agree with the poster who mentioned that 2 heat lamps of that wattage is probably more than needed unless you live in the arctic...heeheehee. But I'm a planner/worrier too...so I understand you wanting to be ready.