Biggish coop, few birds, will it stay warm enough?

[gtaus]

Are they using HN's now?
If not, get them started asap, it can take time for them to get the hang of them and you don't want to do that during temps extremes.

I have used this DIY heated waterer for 5 years now, very happy with it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-heated-waterer-with-horizontal-nipples.67256/

I currently use a metal double walled 3 gallon waterer. I purchased a metal waterer heating plate for the winter. My chickens have not used HNs, so I guess maybe I should build a bucket and see if they use it.

I was surprised to see you using an aquarium heater for your waterer. I did not think they would last very long. The other articles I have seen use a stock tank heater, which I believe is made for larger animals in a larger tank and the heater is much more robust. But maybe with only a few gallons of water, the aquarium heater is good enough. I also noticed that the first aquarium heater you got failed in a short time. How do you know which aquarium heater will work (design, wattage, etc....)? I know you updated your article with the heater you currently use, but I don't know if that model is still available after 5 years.

 

[TinaMarieofFL]

I'm beginning to think about winter, as here in Southern Alberta, Canada it is already beginning to get pretty chilly in the mornings. Though I'm guided by those who have already experimented with open air (Woods) coops in cold climates I can't help but worry that with only 4 chickens, they may not stay warm enough in my 6 x 10' coop.

They tend to roost all on one end of the 6' roost so are only taking up about 18" of the space, leaving an awful lot of cold air space around them. The coop is insulated but open. Ventilation should not be an issue, though yesterday morning we had an ambient humidity of 75% which extended into the coop. This is not normal, we are normally very arid. It sure felt cold to me...

Will they really stay warm? We are blessed to generally get somewhat mild winters - for Canada - but last year for example we got a solid 30 days of very cold (-22 F) weather. Yes, it sucked.

Should I be planning for emergency heat? Creating a roost divider to hold the heat? or just chilling the heck out and waiting to see how it goes.

#nervousnewbie

Absolutely, start planning how to warm them NOW. Heat lamp, straw and perhaps heavy plastic sheeting...Most important thing is to block the wind.

 

[MiaS]

Hello I'm just west of Edmonton about 30 minutes. I run heat in my Coop once it's cold enough to freeze my water. I use rubber livestock bowls with the heat lamp over the water. Definitely my Coop isn't warm on the coldest winter days although my water doesn't freeze and my birds are not frozen.
I wrap my Runs in vapour barrier plastic to block out wind and snow.
Definitely last winter was terrible cold here for about 3 weeks of -30C weather..
I don't change feed at all during the cold.
I close up my vents that are facing North and the west ones.
Definitely you will figure out what works for your Birds as winter approaches.

Yeah that cold in February sucked last year!!

 

[chickens really]

Yeah that cold in February sucked last year!!

Yes...It was absolutely terrible...

 

[aart]

I was surprised to see you using an aquarium heater for your waterer. I did not think they would last very long. The other articles I have seen use a stock tank heater, which I believe is made for larger animals in a larger tank and the heater is much more robust. But maybe with only a few gallons of water, the aquarium heater is good enough. I also noticed that the first aquarium heater you got failed in a short time. How do you know which aquarium heater will work (design, wattage, etc....)? I know you updated your article with the heater you currently use, but I don't know if that model is still available after 5 years.

I used an aquarium heater because I'd seen a couple other people here use them,
and a stock tank heater wouldn't fit in to my chosen water vessel.
It's worked great for me, tho care needs to be taken.
I would guess that model heater is still available.
The first one I bought was cheap <shrugs> you get what you pay for.

 

[chickens really]

I don't use straw in my chickens Coop but my Roosts are 2x4s laid flat side so my Birds can lay on the Roost and cover feet..
I definitely run heat because I can't sit here in my warm house with birds freezing here in a totally freezing environment without helping them..

 

[MiaS]

I don't use straw in my chickens Coop but my Roosts are 2x4s laid flat side so my Birds can lay on the Roost and cover feet..
I definitely run heat because I can't sit here in my warm house with birds freezing here in a totally freezing environment without helping them..

What are you using for heat?

 

[chickens really]

What are you using for heat?

I use a heat lamp that’s hung 3 different ways as precaution.

 

[gtaus]

my Roosts are 2x4s laid flat side so my Birds can lay on the Roost and cover feet..

I looked into this issue of having the 2x4s on edge, or flat, and which would be better for the birds in the cold weather. I came across a YouTube video and the guy there quoted some University study that determined laying the 2x4s flat was the best possible method because the chickens can cover their feet better in the cold weather. So that's what I did too. I really don't know what method is best, but my 10 girls are all using the 2x4s laid flat and seem to be doing fine.

 

[gtaus]

I use a heat lamp that’s hung 3 different ways as precaution.

At what temp do you turn on the heat lamp? Do you find the birds using it in the winter?