Heating issues relating to daily temp swings, solar heating

[patandchickens]

Regarding heating a coop supposedly making it humid: that is ONLY the case if one of two things is true, either 1) you are not ventilating it at the same time so the real problem isn't the heat it's the lack of ventilation [this is quite common, as people hate to have a window open when they're paying to run the furnace, so to speak], or 2) the only reason humidity was low enough at lower temperatures was that the poo froze quickly and water had little time to evaporate from it, whereas it just sits there unfrozen and offgases water vapor when the heat lamp is running. More typically, heating a coop will somewhat *reduce* humidity in there, simply b/c warmer air holds more water and thus for a given amount of water vapor in the air, the relative humidity *drops* when the air is warmed.

Quote:
I have not run that exact setup, but it is pretty close to what I am thinking about for when I build the turkeys their own coop next year, mentioning that only as evidence that Yes, I think it is quite a good plan

The only possible downsides are if the water leaks or freezes (freezing tending to lead to leaking), but it sounds like you have used this system enough elsewhere on your property to be familiar with its management.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Zenbirder]

Well here is an update: the system of solar heating the hen house works exceptionally well. Our coop has never come close to freezing in the last two winters, even when temps were down to zero. The system is automatic and requires no monitoring during the season. I leave windows cracked for ventilation, and the morning temps are in the 50's most of the time. The chickens appreciate a warm place out of the snow on bad days, and my Australorp rooster's large comb has no trace of frost damage. I will post more on the system eventually as it is part of our "green revolution". We are currently installing a large photovoltaic system that will generate all our own electricity from the sun. Rob (Nifty-Chicken) has asked me to post a coop page. I will do so when our project is a bit farther along and my time pressures ease.

 

[patandchickens]

Whoops, I *usually* do look at the original post date in case it was an old one someone dredged up

Ah well, on the bright side I did not realize you had this system up and running and I am glad to hear it is working so well for you! Perhaps having the thread resurrected will give other people ideas

,

Pat