Coop Fire - New shed - extremely cold - seramas

[imnukensc]

We've only had electricity for about 50 years.

There were electrical generating stations in the US in the 1880s so I'd say we've had commercially available electricity for a tad more that 50 years.

This is a FWIW (since I don't have one) on automatic coop doors. There are lots of them out there. The downside (for me) on the one shown and others like it is that it protrudes when open. In my case, I know it wouldn't be long before either I, the dogs, or something else ran into it and probably damaged it. I am considering an auto door for the run since my chickens free range daily. An auto door would save me a couple trips out to the coop to open/close the run door. The one I'm considering is the ADOR1. https://adorstore.com/products/ador1-automatic-chicken-door

 

[Kalimak]

The shed is made by a company called Indian Creek Structures. We are located in northeastern Ohio, but I think they have retailers all over. They make all kinds of structures including chicken coops, sheds, cabins, and rabbit hutches.

Thanks a lot!

 

[BReeder!]

Title says it all. We have 10 standard chickens and 6 Class A&B Seramas in a mixed flock. We live in northeastern Ohio and have cold winters. We are first time chicken keepers and are trying our best to do things correctly with researching on the internet. In our coop we had a heat lamp and heat pad. Tragically our coop burnt down Thursday morning. Thankfully all our chickens were out of the coop and unharmed. We have since purchased and placed a new 10'x12' shed. We cut a 9"×11" hole for a chicken door into the run. The shed is completely empty. We placed wooden crates in as nest boxes, put about 7 inches of straw down and pine wood shaves in boxes, and purchased new feeders and waterers. My husband and I both own our own businesses and with the coop fire we are very behind. We want to make the coop perfect and would like to only put in the necessities until spring. The temperatures are dropping very low this week and next week. Our chickens huddled in one corner basically on top of each other this evening. I know we need to find a solution for a roost. What else can we do immediately to help keep them warm? I know everyone has an opinion on heat or no heat, but with seramas and negative temperatures coming I feel like we need something. What supplemental heat options are safe for that big of a space? Is the hole for the chicken door okay uncovered all night or do we have to purchase an automatic door? Our chickens are located at my inlaws so I cant be there morning and night to open and close it. The run has poultry netting over it so the coop and run are enclosed. We are desperate to do the right things. I'm so worried my chickens are freezing. We are pressed for time and need quick solutions/necessities. Pictures of new shed attached. Any and all suggestions appreciated. View attachment 1642612 View attachment 1642613 View attachment 1642614 View attachment 1642615

I would build a small heat box for the birds to go into to get warm. No need to head the entire space, just a space large enough for the birds to fit to get warm when needed. A large heat pad (like you would use for a sore back or to take the chill out bed) laid over some wire bent into a dome or other shape would likely work. Be sure the heat pad as a built in thermostat though so that it will shut off and turn back on as needed with less risk of overheating and causing a fire.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What about something similar to a mama heating pad but on a larger scale ? I have a Sweeter heater for my coop it just warms the ones closest to it.

 

[BReeder!]

What about something similar to a mama heating pad but on a larger scale ? I have a Sweeter heater for my coop it just warms the ones closest to it.

Exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for mentioning the mama heating pad. I couldn't remember what they were called. Essentially a brooder that is large enough for the adult chickens.

 

[Miss Lydia]

And Seramas aren’t very big so they would fit perfect!

 

[WVduckchick]

I am Not a fan of the MHP

 

[Miss Lydia]

Can you tell me why I am planning on making one for my ducklings?

 

[Aleelupton]

There were electrical generating stations in the US in the 1880s so I'd say we've had commercially available electricity for a tad more that 50 years.

This is a FWIW (since I don't have one) on automatic coop doors. There are lots of them out there. The downside (for me) on the one shown and others like it is that it protrudes when open. In my case, I know it wouldn't be long before either I, the dogs, or something else ran into it and probably damaged it. I am considering an auto door for the run since my chickens free range daily. An auto door would save me a couple trips out to the coop to open/close the run door. The one I'm considering is the ADOR1. https://adorstore.com/products/ador1-automatic-chicken-door

I really like that one!

 

[WVduckchick]

Can you tell me why I am planning on making one for my ducklings?

I guess they do work for many people, so this is just my opinion. I’ve seen quite a few posts here where they were not built properly and chicks got stuck in wires, or suffocated between layers of fabric, or the thing got wet and shorted out, etc, etc. any number of issues.

But - put together safely, with the proper pad (the non-shutoff kind, good wire plug, etc), and out of any possible issues where it could get wet, etc, it could be perfect for your situation.

Just be very careful how you set it up. -- Especially with messy wet ducks