how do you keep your chickens warm ?

[SteveBaz]

I for sure agree with the ventilation above and either wire cloth or like the cover which is great to protect from critters getting in.

 

[AlienChick]

Ventilation is very important. Make sure it is *above* where the chickens roost so they don't sit in drafts.

I was very surprised at how much humidity these chickens can produce.

We recently sold our coop and moved, but during the interim the chickens were temporarily housed in a cement block shed with no ventilation (it had windows and a door).

In the morning when I let them out, all the windows were fogged up and dripping! Fortunately, it was not winter, so no worry of frostbite, but, still, the humidity was amazing!

 

[JacksonH]

Sozoed wrote:

Speaking of light bulbs in the coop, has anyone tried compact fluourescent bulbs (the curley cue ones)? Do they generate enough heat throughout the winter?

They don't put out much heat compared to an incandescent bulb. I have a 100w equivalent bulb as my bright light to keep them laying, but since I have a Woods open-air coop, there is little point in trying to supply any heat. This bulb uses 26 watts of electricity, so about 1/4 the heat of a 100 watt incandescent bulb while still putting out about the same amount of light.​

 

[chickchicks]

ok....
so im thinking ill do thevernt in the middle of the coop at the top as if i do it near the roost it willbe atthere head hight and i guess that will = a draft to them

the heat thing ok they stay warm i am more concerened at the idea that its really the top two sleep on the roost alone at night and with a large shed and two together they still not get cold?
i understand more chickens = more heat,
imlooking into more chickensbut it will be a while before i get any im debating with the mum atthemoment ! i wantbattery hens to save themand mum thinks its too hard tolook afterthem and is worried they will be dead before we even start ( she hasgonelooking onthe internet and seen some poor looking ones onthe internet to see what they are)

light int he coop ... no electricity whats the best way then?

thank