Coop Fire - New shed - extremely cold - seramas

[WVduckchick]

Looks like the bitter cold is headed your way @Aleelupton
How are things going now?

 

[Aleelupton]

Looks like the bitter cold is headed your way @Aleelupton
How are things going now?

We have stacked up straw bales for extra insulation and put in roosts using 2x4s. We ordered a cozy coop heat plate and ot just arrived to my door so we will put that in thw coop tonight. We also purchased a new waterer that is heated. Until we decide on an automatic door we have put straw bales around the opening on the inside to block any drafts. We have also added another 6-8 inches of straw on the floor. The chickens seem to being doing okay. Still getting 7ish eggs a day from 9 laying hens. The 3 serama hens have been broody for the last month or so so we only get an egg from them once or twice a week.

 

[Aleelupton]

Looks like the bitter cold is headed your way @Aleelupton
How are things going now?

My husband is finishing wiring the coop tomorrow. Hopefully the chickens will get through the weekend and be okay.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

You'll like that Cozy flat panel heater.
I've had one in use going on 5 years. We're in Northern MN. It will not put out heat like a lamp (250 watts) But the 200 watts will be nice and I think you'll find your more sensitive birds will gravitate towards it. My CoZy Legs flat panel (before there was cozy coop) is only a 150 watt and makes about a 30 degree difference at roost level. My coop is 6 x7 feet. Partially insulated (roof and Reflectix on the walls). I usually don't turn it on unless that forcast says below zero. But that's my bird types I have. They can actually take a -20 day/morning but if I can take a bite out of that a bit and that cold snap is hanging on...that's what I'm going to do.
I have switched over from pine shavings this winter to straw. I'll switch back in the summer. But wow. What a difference in the coop floor. ( should have insulated between the floor joists during the build.) Harder to clean up-- but birds first.To avoid added moisture in the coop I do keep it below 32 degrees in the coop unless mother nature says otherwise outside. This keeps the poop in a frozen state (easier to remove also) and from putting out added moisture. Dry, cold-non cruel coop is what I aim for.

So sorry for your coop loss. It has always been a worry of mine and why I sought out that flat panel heater years ago.
I have this heater also: Still need to be careful. But for $30 it sure has given me peace of mind and is built to withstand and not be a danger if hung correctly. This one is brought out for Polar Vortexes and baby chicks in the spring.
https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/prima-heat-lamp

 

[Aleelupton]

I live in Trumbull county in northeastern Ohio. We are predicted to get 10"-12" of snow Saturday and then lake effect snow on Sunday for about 18"-24" of snow total on top of the 3" we already have. My poor chickens may get snowed into their coop.

 

[aart]

Yup, winter is here and Chicken Cabin Fever commences.
My cousin lives near you.....stick with NWS predictions

 

[Aleelupton]

So far we have over a foot of snow and it's still snowing. Will continue to get lake effect snow until tomorrow morning. Temps dropping into the negatives tonight. The chickens are doing well. They got a big bowl of greens, scrambled eggs, and scratch for a treat today.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Do you have a suggestion for what type of automatic door to get?

This is the one that I will probably get. I like that it runs for a year on a 6-volt lantern battery

https://adorstore.com/products/ador1-automatic-chicken-door

 

[aart]

So far we have over a foot of snow and it's still snowing. Will continue to get lake effect snow until tomorrow morning. Temps dropping into the negatives tonight. The chickens are doing well. They got a big bowl of greens, scrambled eggs, and scratch for a treat today.

We got more than predicted, about 10".....Zero last night and tonight -11.
Then it's gonna warm up.
Today I gave rolled oats soaked in Sav-A-Chick solution for a boost.

 

[RoosterML]

Sorry that your coop burnt down !! Is it confirmed that your heat lamp is what caused the fire? If so how was your heat lamp fastened in the coop? Any info you could give or pictures of your setup prior to fire would be great.