Building a Coop in Vermont, Do Not want to run electricity for heat, Can I do this?

[Egghead_Jr]

I think you missed the part about black rubber livestock bowls.

thanks for the info everyone! any ideas on a water heater I could power by solar? Or maybe a car battery?

Yeah, you can easily set up for solar with car battery. CFL don't draw much power if you wanted to supplement light in winter and there really is only a few days out of winter you'd enjoy a heated dog bowl so wouldn't need much power. 20W panel would do it. Believe you can get an inexpensive one with internal controller to not overcharge the battery for around 50 bucks. Then all you need is 12v to 110 converter.

 

[lazy gardener]

LazyGardener,
are you suggesting a coop based on the ground rather than on stilts is better?

"on the ground" needs to take into account how much snow we typically get. My standard construction coop is on "uneven ground, with the main entry about 16" high. (Skirt all the way around it). I also have a cattle panel coop that is literally ON THE GROUND. Keeping snow away from that door is a pain, but it's doable.

Absolutely. And you can go even better than that, and build your coop with a soil floor! The absolute easiest way to maintain a coop and run is with deep litter. And the absolute easiest way to maintain deep litter is on a soil floor. Of course you need to have good drainage, and you also must make it predator proof by having a buried skirt all the way around to keep rats and predators out. While deep litter can be done on a standard coop floor (I've done both) it's MUCH MUCH MUCH easier and more effective to do it on a soil floor.

 

[lazy gardener]

I think you missed the part about black rubber livestock bowls.



Yeah, you can easily set up for solar with car battery. CFL don't draw much power if you wanted to supplement light in winter and there really is only a few days out of winter you'd enjoy a heated dog bowl so wouldn't need much power. 20W panel would do it. Believe you can get an inexpensive one with internal controller to not overcharge the battery for around 50 bucks. Then all you need is 12v to 110 converter.

Are you saying that the solar panel is about $50??? Can you show a link to what you're talking about??? I have the converter! But, if I could keep a heated bowl, and a LED through the winter without having to run my extension cord, that would be awesome. (I also have auto pop door, but I can't imagine that would draw much.)

 

[Folly's place]

You definitely want a walk-in coop! Extra space per bird, and a covered run is wonderful! Look at Woods coop designs too; I don't have one, and I'm not sure about lowest temps for one either.
We extended the coop roof over our run, and made a much larger all-weather coop/run combination. Chickens hate to go out in snow! Shoveling out the run got very old, so we fixed it. Money well spent!!!
Consider your coop location, and getting out there in all weathers. Practical? Also drainage issues; it needs high ground, not the low spot.
Mary

 

[lazy gardener]

Oh yes. What Mary says. If I were building a coop, I'd do Wood's style, with AT LEAST the front portion on soil, and perhaps the whole thing on soil. Wood's coops are absolutely the best!!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Are you saying that the solar panel is about $50??? Can you show a link to what you're talking about??? I have the converter! But, if I could keep a heated bowl, and a LED through the winter without having to run my extension cord, that would be awesome. (I also have auto pop door, but I can't imagine that would draw much.)

I know right? The big draw is heated dog bowl but if you only plugged it in on the arctic chilled days it might keep up for those few days. I just got an ador1 too, had to take it down during the two week sub zero, think it contracted so much the motor couldn't turn or something. Anywho, this is a combo controller and 20W panel for $60. Still looking for the all in one I'd seen before...

https://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-2...29659&sr=8-3&keywords=solar+panel+charger+20w

 

[lazy gardener]

We've had a solid month where temps didn't hardly get up above single digits, so... unless it could keep up with THAT, it'd be a waste of time for me. The days that it's needed are much more frequent than the days that it's not needed.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

If you had to have a 60W heated water and wanted it plugged in all day every day then you'd need a big panel. 160w panel only is $165.

https://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-W...6131955&sr=8-3&keywords=solar+panel+100w&th=1

For a 6v auto door only type thing (if the cold really sucks the life out of lantern battery) you'd use this and recharging 6v battery.

https://www.amazon.com/American-Hunter-Economy-Charger-6-volt/dp/B002L9FMD8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1516130625&sr=8-3&keywords=solar+panel+charger+6v&th=1&psc=1

Completely agree with woods style coop if your building a stationary one time permanent structure. If you're going with a dirt floor have an excellent dig proof apron.

 

[Shadyfarms]

Hello All,

I live up in Canada, no hydro. For waterer, I used 2 plastic buckets with lids. Small bucket goes in the big bucket with foam insulation around it and under the small bucket. Cut hole in the big bucket with one of the side mounted water nipples. I fill that up with warm water in the morning, put the lid on it and it has not frozen on me in -20 C weather. I bring it in over night. Walls are insulated with lots of ventilation in the soffits. No issues so far.

 

[lazy gardener]

@Shadyfarms, does the horizontal nipple go all the way through the big bucket, foam and into the little bucket? Does the water get between the 2 buckets? Interesting.