Birds dying...extreme cold! **UPDATE** 12/23 PG 10

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
I asked my MIL about that--she's had chickens in this climate for 20 years--and she said the roosts are fine because the heat rises? And so if the roosts are higher in the coop, they are up to a warmer part??

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
Thank you!

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
is it off the ground? What sort of substrate do you have? Thanks!

 

[spook]

As far as disease, I do assume you know what your dealing with! Don't take me as feeling as though I know better, but I have actually been dealing with mycoplasia (I think-and plan on being tested) and its apparently something my layers have previously been exposed to as none of them got ill. I have not taken them off my property, hatched them myself yet its apparent that there are more people with it then without it. Not only that, I have one bird that came from far away as an egg and after being exposed and living in the same space, she has not blinked, nodded or sneezed,and one of them is coughing now.
God only knows if you have it or not, that is not your concern, then be super happy, I have always had birds and I also assume my issue was here prior to these birds as it can live in the soil. (also passed if you bring "battery" or commercial birds in!!!! something they neglect to let us know)
Good luck and I'd hang blankets/tarps to close them in tighter, up off the floor would be better as heat rises. Good luck and becareful of heating your coop, we do not need to hear of any fires!!! (all of you)

 

[illinichick]

You can get thoseelectric oil heaters, looks like old fashioned radiators, at Walmart for about 30.00.

 

[Jenski]

equibling, so sorry about your birds! That sounds really cold to me down here in TN. I have experimented with three different heat methods in my three (small) coops. I have a relatively small flock (12 birds, mostly bantam) spread among 2 primary coops and one portable. Here's what I have tried:

1) reptile heat pads sandwiched on ceramic tiles (portable mini coop, 4' x 30", 2' high interior) ~ maintains 10-12 degrees above external temp
2) ceramic heat lamps (small/med coop, 5 x 4, 3' high interior) ~ maintains 20 degrees + above external temp
3) mini sealed oil-filled heater (largest coop, 8 x 6, 6' high interior) ~ seems to maintain 12-15 degrees above external temp, but the new, larger heater will probably add 10+ degrees to this.

Coop #1 has one 12" tile from Shopthecoop.com, and one mini tile we made ourselves.

For Coop #2, here's the info on the ceramic bulbs ~ I believe Shopthecoop also sells these ~

http://theworldofjenotopia.com/cmsjoomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=27

For Coop #3, the largest coop, we made a "table" that raises the heater 2' from the floor. It is bolted to the wall for stability, and is completely caged (to the ceiling) in 1/2" hardware cloth so no one can get near it.

I have not yet added all this info to my website. Feel free to PM me for details or more info. I feel quite safe with all my options so far, but I check the condition of things every day and I keep the lamps wiped down so dust does not accumulate.

I just bought a length of reptile heat rope and a thermostat, and I will keep the forum posted on how this works for a small coop.

Good luck!


Ed. to add ~ INSULATION is probably the most important part of coop planning I have found. The last coop we did, we made in three layers, with foil-backed foam insulation. Makes a huge difference, and keeps things warm and dry inside. If I had it all to do over again, I'd insulate every coop. In fact, I have gone back and retro-fitted parts of all of them (esp. ceilings).

 

[ivan3]

Depending on the location of your 250w lamp, it might be possible to hang sheets of tin foil (other fire proof material) from ceiling with duct tape to create baffles (promote circulation of warmed air back down towards roosts). This requires a bit of testing (score a deck of unfiltered generics and watch the smoke). I've hung foil on the door side of the coop (about a 1.5ft length. from ceiling) opposite the location of the heat lamp(only on during days like this: 14° with 10-15mph wind),
indoor/outdoor carpet over door with edge clamped up. They like to be able to look out. The heat swirls down and moderates the temp. somewhat. Come sundown we'll switch out the heat lamp with a 25w so they can sleep, but in the morning they'll be able to get down and pick around before we open up the coop. Ours are all production SL's and are pretty cold tolerant. However, yesterday at this time the temp. was 63°, with windchill factored in it is currently hovering around 0°, and they don't like it (the stress of irritation...).

You might try the gamebird starter (30%), mix it in with regular feed. The Flight Conditioner (growth and plumage) is 19% protein.

Good luck and hope you don't lose any more of your poor fellas!

 

[chickencarsten]

I bought an oil filled electric( radiator type)heater from HomeDepot for $40.00.It is made to heat large rooms(bedrooms or basements).It is very safe to operate.I think it will do the trick.Good luck,let us know how you make out.

 

[mksenoj]

We use two heat lamps in our coop and it's like Florida in there. Also seal all drafts.

 

[onthespot]

You know, not trying to be all "green" or anything, but since you are maxed out on your outlet output, I was just thinking about your tough deal, and wondered if you could make a little passive solar heat collecting room out of clear vinyl like a sprouting frame and use it to heat something like five gallon buckets painted black and filled with water, in the solar area during the day soaking up heat, and at night set them under the roost, say, with a dropping board on top to catch dropping and slow the dispersal of the heat and make it last a little longer over night, or if that would be like putting out a forest fire by spitting one it.... too little, too late. My sister lives up in the tippy top of Idaho and she said just putting a pan of tap water on the garage floor under the engine kept her car from freezing up and made it a lot easier to start the next day. The heat just gradually radiated out of the pan of water and was absorbed by the engine, not much but enough to make a difference.