Hot water in gallon containers to give off heat?

[Carrie Lynn]

Would that act as a small heat supply in a 4x4x4' insulated coop?
Anyone ever try this?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Sure, it would keep them warm for several hours in the evening probably- but by morning I would think it would be gone (the heat). You could wrap it in towels to prolong the heat- but then the hens wouldn't receive as much heat.

You might do several water bottles. It would sure be safer than a light bulb. I might go this route during power outages. I was just thinking of this today as an option!

Oh- and I wouldn't rely on this method for small chicks unless it was a power outage.

Also- make sure that you don't start heating them and then stop, because they will suffer. They need to get their winter down- to be prepared for the temperatures they will face.