I think our coop is too big. Ideas?

[123RedBeard]

How high is your roost? I had to lower mine from an existing beam at 8 feet and set it around 3 feet.

Roosts were set at 36" ... TOP of nesting boxes at 32" ...

 

[WindingRoad]

With adequate ventilation, a coop 'holding heat' is pretty much fallacy.

I don't believe so. I don't think a thermometer is a fallacy do you. At -22F if I didn't have adequate ventilation I would probably have frostbite on those nice large combs. Especially, my BO no frostbite. Combs are cool but not even cold. Are you saying that a coop without chickens closed up is just as warm as one with chickens in it? No other variances just either chickens in or chickens out? My coop is 3' x 3' with good ventilation are you saying my 4 large chickens don't keep that coop at a higher temperature when they are in it as opposed to when they are downstairs in the run or outside? BO ISAB, 2 SLW. BO and ISAB are 2years old laying most every day and SLW at about 24 weeks laying for about 2 weeks now 1-2 eggs a day. All lively, alert, eating well crops empty in the AM full at bed time. Eat only 22% protein pellets, scratch, and mealworms daily. Plenty of fresh water at all times. Not frozen even when the temp outside is in the teens. Their water is right inside a thin wooden door. If it's cool they spend time up in the coop by choice.

 

[WindingRoad]

Now I feel better (well kind of). Stay warm! BTW: I just went out to my chicken coop to grab eggs and thaw out their water. It's still around 11 degrees right now but the temperature inside the coop is around 20 - 22 degrees with the little door open and only one pullet in the nest box.

I'm a 5th generation Mainah. I'm used to the cold. If it's not too windy I go out to check for eggs and refresh their water in my slippers. LOL and no socks. No coat either. I'm out there for about 10 minutes. I can remember walking to the bus stop about a 1/4 mile away in -40F and I don't remember to many "snow" days. LOL. Heck many a day I've seen woman going into Walmart with flip flops on. And didn't the UPS guys have a contest to see how deep into winter they could go in only shorts on the delivery routes. My kinda guys.

 

[WindingRoad]

I'm a 5th generation Mainah. I'm used to the cold. If it's not too windy I go out to check for eggs and refresh their water in my slippers. LOL and no socks. No coat either. I'm out there for about 10 minutes. I can remember walking to the bus stop about a 1/4 mile away in -40F and I don't remember to many "snow" days. LOL. Heck many a day I've seen woman going into Walmart with flip flops on. And didn't the UPS guys have a contest to see how deep into winter they could go in only shorts on the delivery routes. My kinda guys.

BTW: the walk to the bus stop was up hill both ways. Wait for it; someone will have to nail me on that one. LOL

 

[Cryss]

Are you saying that a coop without chickens closed up is just as warm as one with chickens in it?

No. No one is saying that. The question of this thread is "I think our coop is too big. Ideas?" The answer has been given that no it is not too big. The answer is not about how warm chickens can make a room. They can indeed make a room warm. The answer is about can chickens not make the room warm enough. The answer to that question is that chickens only need to keep themselves warm. They do not need to warm the room even though they have that ability.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Now I feel better (well kind of). Stay warm!

No. No one is saying that. The question of this thread is "I think our coop is too big. Ideas?" The answer has been given that no it is not too big. The answer is not about how warm chickens can make a room. They can indeed make a room warm. The answer is about can chickens not make the room warm enough. The answer to that question is that chickens only need to keep themselves warm. They do not need to warm the room even though they have that ability.

Thank you Cryss for bringing us back from the dark thread. LOL! I was happy when this property I bought had two nice sized sheds on it. The one I converted to my chicken coop is only 8 x 10 with a wood floor. I'd say that lyranonamous was exceptionally fortunate to have this nice set up on day one. Now that's what I call "turn key." Good luck with your flock.

 

[townchicks]

If your dog has a double coat it probably doesn't "generate heat". Or so I've been told.

My shorthaired hound mix generates substantialy more heat under the covers than my sheltie did. Double coats do hold more heat in for the dog. The sheltie did not like or need to be under the covers, because he retained enough heat for his comfort level within his double coat, while the hound mix, does like to be under, because he doesn't retain his body heat. Same with chickens. They don't need to heat their coop with their body, they need to retain heat under their down. Whether they do heat a smaller coop or not, is not really the question, they don't need to, to be comfortable or safe from the cold. BTW, I have a small coop, and my 3 hens do not make it warmer.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

My shorthaired hound mix generates substantialy more heat under the covers than my sheltie did. Double coats do hold more heat in for the dog. The sheltie did not like or need to be under the covers, because he retained enough heat for his comfort level within his double coat, while the hound mix, does like to be under, because he doesn't retain his body heat. Same with chickens. They don't need to heat their coop with their body, they need to retain heat under their down. Whether they do heat a smaller coop or not, is not really the question, they don't need to, to be comfortable or safe from the cold. BTW, I have a small coop, and my 3 hens do not make it warmer.

I thought it was the heat generated by composting poo & wood chips that gave a little warmth to the coop.

 

[aart]

I thought it was the heat generated by composting poo & wood chips that gave a little warmth to the coop.

Hard for just poop and shavings to make 'hot' compost....needs lot of water and turning too.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Hard for just poop and shavings to make 'hot' compost....needs lot of water and turning too.

So I should add a little water to it before I stir it up? The chickens were stirring it up for awhile but lately I've had to give it a stir with my pitch fork. It's not putting out a lot of heat but it is composting.