Help Frostbite Is Starting

[wombat]

I'd suggest using plastic wrap or a tarp on the side with prevailing winds, but don't wrap up the whole coop or you'll have no ventilation. Try to keep the ventilation up above the birds. That plus the straw bales should take care of the outside getting in ...

If your coop is large enough, put a "huddle box" inside so that they have a small place to go into to conserve body heat. A wooden crate on its side is best, if you have one. Liberaly add straw to this so they have something to bed down in.

You can also put vaseline on their combs when it is particluarly cold out.

A 40w heat lamp should be plenty for a small coop, if you get the drafts solved. Make sure it is well secured, so that your birds can't knock it down into bedding and start a coop fire.

 

[silkiechicken]

Before sealing it up too tight, what is the humidity like? Too much humidity and frost bite can take fast.

 

[theFox]

Quote:
I would love to play with just one bale and see how it turns out. Ive seen them put chicken wire over the bails, then plastering it.

Around here though, we have HAY bales - not straw bales. Think that would still work???

It should still work with the difference being that the hay bails would have a lower R value, it is the dead air pockets in the straw that makes straw a better insulator.

 

[theFox]

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Yes, you always have to have good ventilation with poultry as they produce a lot of moisture while breathing and otherwise being alive.

 

[greathorse]

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So if you put a smaller box on the floor of the coop will the birds on a very cold night instinctively go in and huddle up? Or are you suggesting that a box over the roost some how?

thanks

 

[Kovalciks Chickens]

Quote:
I do not know i will try to check 2morrow.

 

[Kovalciks Chickens]

I went in the coop tonight and my roo was sneezing. It wasnt a sneeze that I have ever heard before. It is a very deep sneeze. It sounds like he is making noise when he sneezes instead of just expelling air through his nose.

 

[Kovalciks Chickens]

Okay, I went inside my coop to get more suggestions

This is the outside.

This is a little hallway. Not the best pic but it gives an idea of how the coop is setup

These windows are at about neck level. Quail got in the way and didnt want to move.

 

[Kovalciks Chickens]

would it work if i put insultion on the walls?

 

[chickflick]

You got a bunch of great ideas! Just wanted to invite you to the Michigan thread. Lots of friendly people from all over MI. Welcome!