Heater or no heater?

[oldhenlikesdogs]

In my experiences it's best to close up the coop at the temperatures we are expecting. Block any drafts. Your coop will still have some ventilation due to the high winds blowing through the walls. Most moisture will freeze before it gets vented at temperatures below -20 Fahrenheit.

I personally have always closed stuff up, and thickened up the bedding. Some birds will get some frostbite at temperatures below that -20 no matter what you do. Your job is to make sure birds can hold onto body heat. They will sit close to share heat as well.

Whether to add heat, that's a personal decision. I personally don't want the risk of fires.

 

[cmom]

My brother lives in northern Michigan. They do have a heat lamp hanging in their coop where it's away from everything in case they want to put a little extra heat in the coop and the birds do get under it. I have a picture somewhere.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The problem with heat lamps is the bulbs can explode. It happens on occasion for no obvious reason. They can also explode if touched by hopping or flying birds. Even too cold of temperatures can cause it. So it isn't always just about securing them properly.

Another thing to be aware of is if you are using a 250 watt bulb make sure your heat lamp has a ceramic socket and is rated for that wattage. Some heat lamps have plastic sockets that are only rated for 125 watt bulbs, and will melt when using a higher watt bulb.

 

[flyin-lowe]

Anyone have any research on heat lamps in these cold extremes? I can't imagine the gain would outweigh the risk of fire. Obviously coop size, insulation, etc. are factors but if a guy had a 4x8 coop holding 8 hens and it's -20 outside would a 250 watt heat lamp even make a noticeable difference. My thoughts are even if they raise the temp in the coop 10 degrees (which I don't think it would in these conditions) there is not much difference between -10 and -20. I am just wandering how much heat these bulbs produce...

 

[cmom]

Different strokes for different folks. I guess you do what works best for you.

 

[Wendy Case]

Ventilation will take care of that ice.... Any way you can pop some holes in under the eves?

You may know this But others might not. Snow is an excellent insulator... Mitigating huge temperature dips.... But thats on Top of the roof. LOL.

But since I dont have wood structures for my coops I cant advise you on them. All I know is the best coop I have ever seen is the Woods style....

All those windows in the front are Hardware cloth... Air flows in in volume below and out at top... The roosts are in back.

here is the very old thread about it.... contributed around 2011

Believe it or not they work in the desert as well.... The natural convection of air keeps it cooler inside...

deb

I've got ventilation under the roof where it meets the tops of the walls, plus I have the roof ridgeline that's open, and where the snow comes in
Can't wait for the warmer weather (for us humans) to start working on the walls, making cut outs near the top and an opening window at the east facing front that's under cover! I'm thinking that'll be open most of the year unless it's incredibly bad snow storms. That east wind is nasty. Lol.
I know my problem is weather related by the daily fluctuation of humidity. Today was 58% a couple of days ago when it was miserable it was 95%! Roll on anything above 30° over a two/three day period.

 

[Wendy Case]

Ventilation will take care of that ice.... Any way you can pop some holes in under the eves?

You may know this But others might not. Snow is an excellent insulator... Mitigating huge temperature dips.... But thats on Top of the roof. LOL.

But since I dont have wood structures for my coops I cant advise you on them. All I know is the best coop I have ever seen is the Woods style....

All those windows in the front are Hardware cloth... Air flows in in volume below and out at top... The roosts are in back.

here is the very old thread about it.... contributed around 2011

Believe it or not they work in the desert as well.... The natural convection of air keeps it cooler inside...

deb

I totally LOVE this coop!!

Ventilation will take care of that ice.... Any way you can pop some holes in under the eves?

You may know this But others might not. Snow is an excellent insulator... Mitigating huge temperature dips.... But thats on Top of the roof. LOL.

But since I dont have wood structures for my coops I cant advise you on them. All I know is the best coop I have ever seen is the Woods style....

All those windows in the front are Hardware cloth... Air flows in in volume below and out at top... The roosts are in back.

here is the very old thread about it.... contributed around 2011

Believe it or not they work in the desert as well.... The natural convection of air keeps it cooler inside...

deb

I totally LOVE this coop!!