Heated roosting bar

[WickedChicksNH]

Hi all
Has anyone tried the heated roosting bar? I know summer is still like a week or so away, but want to get ahead of the game.
I never knew they existed until I seen it on amazon the other day.

I live in New Hampshire and it can get pretty darn cold, even though last year I didn't have anything heated for my chickens, (only had two at the time) they seemed fine but I am building a coop out of our old shed, so I want it to be all nice and warm for the winter.

Thanks

 

[Howard E]

I applaud your level of compassion, but heated roosts are not needed. Or at least never have been needed in the past....even with temps much colder than yours. That assumes they are made of some type of wood. Metal would be a bad idea.

Beyond that, with anything electric of this type, I'd be concerned about the fire hazard.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree with Howard. Wood only; I like saplings or tree branches, bark on, make nice roosts.
Mary

 

[WickedChicksNH]

Thanks guys. The breeds of chickens I have are pretty cold hardy. but my poor chickens look terrible in the winter.

 

[jthornton]

Thanks guys. The breeds of chickens I have are pretty cold hardy. but my poor chickens look terrible in the winter.

If they have frostbite then you probably don't have enough draft free ventilation where they sleep. Very important to allow the moisture from breathing and pooping a way to escape and moist air rises...

JT

 

[blackdog043]

Thanks guys. The breeds of chickens I have are pretty cold hardy. but my poor chickens look terrible in the winter.

Why do they look terrible, were they molting?

Make sure you have plenty of draft free ventilation, in your new coop build. Ventilation that's not blowing on the chickens. If you post a picture of your shed, we could help with ventilation ideas, if you need them.

 

[WickedChicksNH]

Thanks all.
I think I just did properly have their coop area set up well enough for winter, they were blocked from wind and their nesting area is up off the ground about 2 1/2 feet.
It's my NH red that usually looks terrible, her comb gets white on the top and it droops a little.

The really don't free range in the winter.

That is why we are building a nice new coop for them, The coop they had was one of those smaller prebuilt ones. No impressed with it at all, they said holds 6 chickens I have a bantam and it wouldn't even hold 3 of those.

I have truly become passionate about raising chickens in the past few years (just as pets mostly) and I want the best comfy place for them.

I will make sure once we actually start getting further into the coop building process I will be here for more advice.

 

[lilmillefleur]

I would recommend adding ventilation to your coop as others have said, it helps to prevent frostbite. It's often the amount of moisture, not the cold, that causes the most problems.
I'm glad you care about your chickens' well being. It's important to understand their needs and how to keep them healthy and happy!

 

[WickedChicksNH]

Thank you.
I am so excited to present this new coop to my feathered ladies when it's done LOL

 

[aart]

It's my NH red that usually looks terrible, her comb gets white on the top and it droops a little.

Probably normal for being out of lay, and could be some mild frostbite.
I see quite a bit of grayish comb tips in the winter from mild frostbite, even with good ventilation, does no harm in the long run.