Building outside shelter for cold climate

[PijandDoveMama]

We are going to be moving our pij outside soon. We'll be building a small shed type enclosure for nest boxes, about 4x6. It will be inside a fly space. Our pij are all rescues, and one is missing a wing. Because it can get brutally cold here, -30° F with windchills equally cold is normal for Dec/Jan, I am worried about making that enclosure safe for our girl. We are planning it so we can keep the doors shut to the fly space when it gets too cold. They will have about a 3x3 area that won't be taken up by the nest boxes. We plan on putting in a window like you would in a house. Exterior will be panel siding to match our house to meet code. Thinking of putting foam board insulation (if safe for birds) in the walls and floor, then plywood over it. I know otherwise healthy pij with good feather condition shouldn't need the insulation, but with that wing missing.... Do you think insulation is enough, or would it be wise to provide some supplemental heat like a radiant panel? If so, what do you recommend? I worry about fire and creating humidity.

 

[biophiliac]

We are going to be moving our pij outside soon. We'll be building a small shed type enclosure for nest boxes, about 4x6. It will be inside a fly space. Our pij are all rescues, and one is missing a wing. Because it can get brutally cold here, -30° F with windchills equally cold is normal for Dec/Jan, I am worried about making that enclosure safe for our girl. We are planning it so we can keep the doors shut to the fly space when it gets too cold. They will have about a 3x3 area that won't be taken up by the nest boxes. We plan on putting in a window like you would in a house. Exterior will be panel siding to match our house to meet code. Thinking of putting foam board insulation (if safe for birds) in the walls and floor, then plywood over it. I know otherwise healthy pij with good feather condition shouldn't need the insulation, but with that wing missing.... Do you think insulation is enough, or would it be wise to provide some supplemental heat like a radiant panel? If so, what do you recommend? I worry about fire and creating humidity.

My brother built my loft for me. Did not use foam or any insulation except the air space between the inside and outside walls. The double wall construction was probably not necessary but it's nice and solid and I'm happy with it. The inside is 4x6 and my winter temps are similar to yours. I add no heat and the birds are fine. What sort of feathering does your bird have in the area of the missing wing? Mine fluff their feathers in cold temps to add 'R-factor' to their down coats. How many birds will you be housing?

 

[Qwerty3159]

I wouldn't add any heating element personally. One reason against them that I often hear of is if you have a bad winter storm like I get in my region you could be without power for days and if the bird was adjusted to the extra help that the heating element provided it might have trouble acclimating so quickly should something cause it to stop working or shut off (like an outage)
More birds = more heat being produced and as long as they are kept out of wind and drafts I think they'd be fine. Allowing them to slowly adjust to the outside climate helps too, if you put them out say by the end of summer they'd have several months at least to adjust to the slowly decreasing temperatures.

 

[backyard pigeons]

I agree with the above post.

I would add foam insulation and have a double wall. You do need to make sure you have some ventilation though. Pigeons can normally handle temperature that low, as long as they are out of drafts. But with them being rescues, I would do double walls and such.

@Hokum Coco lives in a very northern climate, he will be able to help.

 

[backyard pigeons]

I forgot the most important thing! Welcome to BYC! I hope you are enjoying it here.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I live in Canada and am subject to -40º temperatures.
My Baby Barn / Pigeon loft has no insulation however my birds to have interior nest boxes that provide some relief from the cold and any drafts.
I feed more whole corn through the winter months and my pigeons do well.
Here is a link to an interview that was done on my and my grand daughter

Welcome to BYC @PijandDoveMama. One thing to keep in mind is just because a certain method works well for you and your birds does not necessarily mean it is the answer for some one else and their flock.

 

[cavemanrich]

Our pij are all rescues,

Ask anything you are not sure of. There are many helpful peeps here.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

 

[bluemerle]

I know a lot of people really like their Sweeter Heaters.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I know a lot of people really like their Sweeter Heaters.

Heat has it's advantages when birds are sick as an example.
Some people loose sight of the adaptability of animals and capabilities of birds.
They would introduce heat to a polar bear.
Thinking of their own comfort and their own peace of mind "NOT" the bears.

 

[bluemerle]

Sure. But -30 is brutally cold, and it is not unheard of to lose animals in that kind of cold, especially if they are already vulnerable. I don't think it's unwise to add a safe heat source that will probably - at most - raise the temp ten degrees.