Helpful hints for building coops

[CapricornFarm]

Here is my rough sketch...

 

[CapricornFarm]

I was told this has been tried and does not work so i will try cookie tin method as well as insulated box.

 

[jvls1942]

in my closed up chicken coop, I had a ceramic heater with a blower .. it cost me about $16.oo
I plugged it into a thermacube. (amazon thermacube) . I set the waterer in front of the heater .. it worked as well as anything I tried.

I went out and lit a fire in the shop stove. did a little cleaning up until the fire burned down. then I fired up again and came inside to chat with you..
I will go back out in about an hour , fire up again and do a little more cleaning.
found out the chainsaw is out of gas and I don't have any mixed for it.. typical..



......jiminwisc......

 

[CapricornFarm]

in my closed up chicken coop, I had a ceramic heater with a blower .. it cost me about $16.oo
I plugged it into a thermacube. (amazon thermacube) . I set the waterer in front of the heater .. it worked as well as anything I tried.

I went out and lit a fire in the shop stove. did a little cleaning up until the fire burned down. then I fired up again and came inside to chat with you..
I will go back out in about an hour , fire up again and do a little more cleaning.
found out the chainsaw is out of gas and I don't have any mixed for it.. typical..



......jiminwisc......

I bet the chickens enjoyed the heat. Probably took more electric power than a light bulb though.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I just can't get over the weather out there. I was wearing shorts and a t shirt not too long ago!

 

[tigger19687]

We all say that about the shorts and t-shirts bit HAHA

Looks pretty !
Snow coming today here, it's flurying out now. Hens are in and out and I think not sure what to make of it.

Water... So far I have not plugged in the heated dog bowl.
Inside the bowl is a big jug with Salt water in it. SO far it is keeping the Ice at bay. Temps in the 20's overnights lately.
I will plug it in once it is a steady 20 degrees out.

 

[jvls1942]

yes, I suppose the heater takes a little more electricity than a light bulb.
but it keeps the coop a little warmer, and I figure that the trade off in less feed going toward keeping warm and going toward egg production is worth it.
the heaters last for years as compared to heat lamps/bulbs ..
with the thermacube, the heater runs only if the temp in the coop gets below 35F.
........jiminwisc...

 

[CapricornFarm]

My latest project is building a rabbit condo for three.

Here is the base. More pics as we progress. I have some housework to do, sadly.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I did get an upright done for each corner, cut and painted. Plus 2 pieces of pressed wood siding painted for the back. I need to find one more in the goat shed. Using scrap stuff for this build if i have it. It was 36 out there and i was wondering how long it will take paint to dry. I was cold so i came in for tea. I do have some insulation for the workshop but every piece has to be cut because the width is too big.

 

[jvls1942]

good morning,
not so bitterly cold today.
Had Frankie in for treats today.
her pups are due in about a week..

the double jig i made is not the correct angle for the blades I wanted to sharpen.
I am going to make a jig for a single blade and it will be adjustable for the correct angle.
I just need to find a tiny wheel or ball bearing for the end of the adjusting lever.

............jiminwisc....