Crossing my Red Ranger Hens.

[Morrigan]

We have a generator -- I think it's bolted down somehow. My husband maintains it. I'm just very grateful we had it , as power was shut down for almost 2 days, right when the chicks in my incubator were hatching.

 

[Compost King]

If I had a family with kids etc I would get an integrated generator that comes on automatically when the power goes out. Its just me a cat and about 200 chickens so I choose to put my resources in other places.

 

[Morrigan]

Its just me a cat and about 200 chickens

That should be some thermal btus right there.

 

[Compost King]

That should be some thermal btus right there.

Maybe if the power goes out in winter I should get some clean straw and climb into the largest coops at night lol

 

[Kris5902]

I have a dream of going off grid and I am trying to figure out a way to incubate eggs with an alternative method. Guess I need to invest in broody hens or delegate the limited solar power I will have for an incubator because I can't think of a way to regulate temps with alternative heating methods. I came up with a Compost heated brooder idea but I am still working on it. It would be large pipe going through the middle of a Compost pile where the middle would be too hot and the 2 outside ends being too cold and the chicks would move to the ideal spot... I would have the composting Agents saved up in a bag, just mix and add water and it heats up.... I want this for an emergency brooder if the power goes out on a bitter cold day.

Probably more so on an island ... and OP is only talking of emergency use ... a day or two ... and a little 2000 watt or less would be more than adequate ...

My Honda eu2000i runs over 10 hours on one gallon of gas ... and will start & run my fridge ...

Maybe a UPS would work for OP? ... but they have a very limited battery capacity, and heating via a battery is gonna draw it down quick ...

To prevent theft ... leave your doggie door open ...

What’s a UPS? For emergencies Generators are great, and a good backup to an off grid solar system... in our climate they are a necessary part of almost all off grid solar set ups. Last winter I spent 10 days without power on the farm over Christmas, we were shuttling one of the smaller generators between 5 chest freezers. Our walk in Freezer, (which should have a switch for a generator back up, but they weren’t thinking about that when they set it up) had to be relocated to a grocery store on the big island that generously donated freezer space, arranged through our Abbatoir association. Of course it didn’t affect our “home” life, and once we get the big system installed on the house (in 10-15 years is my guess) it won’t bother us at all!

We are currently running 400 watts of solar and 7 lead acid deep cycle batteries in two banks, which works well for lights, water pump, fridge starter (propane) TV, DVD, and computers. Adding an incubator and heat plates stretches it a bit thin... but I can swing one or the other, just not during winter.

 

[Kris5902]

Maybe if the power goes out in winter I should get some clean straw and climb into the largest coops at night lol

I have seen compost heat exchangers with copper coils in the center of the piles, and if you design it right there’s a way (I don’t quite understand how it works) that it even moves the water through the pressures of the heat.

 

[BlueBaby]

Maybe if the power goes out in winter I should get some clean straw and climb into the largest coops at night lol

Now that would help to keep those neighborhood dog's away from your flock!

 

[RUNuts]

I have seen compost heat exchangers with copper coils in the center of the piles, and if you design it right there’s a way (I don’t quite understand how it works) that it even moves the water through the pressures of the heat.

Thermosiphon.

hot water rises & cold water falls. Design it right & the heat moves the water. For example, the water on top of the lake is warm but your feet find the cold spots.

 

[Morrigan]

If anyone here as read the book "Sea Biscuit", the author talks about how jockeys used to climb into the middle of compost heaps to try to sweat out a few more pounds in order to make their weight goals.

 

[john_wrightson2003]

If anyone here as read the book "Sea Biscuit", the author talks about how jockeys used to climb into the middle of compost heaps to try to sweat out a few more pounds in order to make their weight goals.

Im good lol