Heater Recommendations

[Palinor]

We're hitting a cold snap where it's going to be in the 20's at night. Should we get a heater for our birds? And does anyone have a recommendations for a good one within a budget?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi.

20's is nothing and no heater needed. They are wearing down jackets that cover their legs and feet when they sit on roost.

Some people put vaseline on large combs because it helps to prevent frost bite. But most important is not having moisture build up inside your coop, which is exhaled every time they breath. That means ventilation and not closed up tight and insulated.

To me if you add a heater it just makes it harder to adjust to the temp outside. But if you have birds that are really young or ill, that may change things. Healthy birds will be fine in 20 degrees.

I know it's scary for us though! Best wishes.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Hi.

20's is nothing and no heater needed. They are wearing down jackets that cover their legs and feet when they sit on roost.

Some people put vaseline on large combs because it helps to prevent frost bite. But most important is not having moisture build up inside your coop, which is exhaled every time they breath. That means ventilation and not closed up tight and insulated.

To me if you add a heater it just makes it harder to adjust to the temp outside. But if you have birds that are really young or ill, that may change things. Healthy birds will be fine in 20 degrees.

I know it's scary for us though! Best wishes.

X2
Kept flocks in places regularly below zero.....I don't heat my coops. Just yesterday a member here lost their coop and flock to a fire caused by a hear lamp in the coop.....

 

[PirateGirl]

It was below zero F here last night, my chickens and ducks weren't exactly happy about it and were all hunkered down in their houses when I got home from work around 5:00pm. I made sure everything was dry, gave them an extra dry layer of bedding on top, cleaned off some of the snow from their houses and locked the doors for the night. This is not unusual and they were just fine. They all came running right out this morning to eat and get fresh water. No heat, no insulation, just deep dry bedding and a totally enclosed space to sleep/hang out out of the wind (with ventilation). It probably won't even hit 20 as a high here today and once it's in the double digits everyone will be out and active in the afternoon heat wave

 

[EggSighted4Life]

cleaned off some of the snow from their houses

In theory... snow would be an insulating layer, retaining heat... like an igloo.

But I think ventilated and dry, draft free.. seems to be the overall theme here, I only mean it (the insulating question) in an over thinking the details kinda way.

@Ol Grey Mare, my thumbs up is to your experience and sharing it.

So sorry to hear about that fire.

 

[PirateGirl]

@EggSighted4Life I generally leave the snow on the roof, I agree, it may help insulate, but yesterday the wind did a number and I actually had quite a bit of snow INSIDE the duck house I felt so bad for them when I got home, it was a full on blizzard that started while I was off at work and their wind block was not sufficient

 

[EggSighted4Life]

@EggSighted4Life I generally leave the snow on the roof, I agree, it may help insulate, but yesterday the wind did a number and I actually had quite a bit of snow INSIDE the duck house I felt so bad for them when I got home, it was a full on blizzard that started while I was off at work and their wind block was not sufficient

Glad they were OK!

 

[Palinor]

Thank you all so much for the information! We live in the foothills of California so it very rarely snows but we're experiencing a cold snap (well cold for here). I was worried they were cold because I worry about them like they're my kids, and my fiancé wanted to put this electric heater we have in there but I was worried about a fire. So it's good to know that they're ok even though it's cold. I put extra bedding in for them so I guess they'll be pretty cozy.