Cozy Coop Heater

[KilbournFarmhouse]

We recently purchased this. We have four six-week old chickens and are moving them outdoors within the next two weeks. All of our breeds were chosen for cold hardiness, but they are still young and we are getting into mid-high 30s overnight. We plan to use this for supplemental heat in a small spot until they are 12 weeks old or so as it just continues to get colder here. Once they are full size, we will remove the heat permanently. For temporary supplemental heat, this was much safer that the heat lamp we are using for the brooder.

 

[aart]

We recently purchased this. We have four six-week old chickens and are moving them outdoors within the next two weeks. All of our breeds were chosen for cold hardiness, but they are still young and we are getting into mid-high 30s overnight. We plan to use this for supplemental heat in a small spot until they are 12 weeks old or so as it just continues to get colder here. Once they are full size, we will remove the heat permanently. For temporary supplemental heat, this was much safer that the heat lamp we are using for the brooder.

Actually 6 weeks is plenty old to be off heat.
Turn off the heat now...and open a window.

 

[KilbournFarmhouse]

Actually 6 weeks is plenty old to be off heat.
Turn off the heat now...and open a window.

Our coop has sufficient ventilation so that isn't a concern and isn't something we are overlooking. The intention is not to fully heat coop.

 

[aart]

Our coop has sufficient ventilation so that isn't a concern and isn't something we are overlooking. The intention is not to fully heat coop.

At 6 weeks they don't need any kind of heat.
Opening the window in the brooder room is to help acclimate them to the outside ambient temps.

Might want to make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.

Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.

Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.

Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.

This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.

 

[KilbournFarmhouse]

Thanks for the advice.