My chickens seem cold- heater?

[JoeInPA]

The wind is tough for me to fight because of where I'm located, I get wind from all directions. Without being surrounded by walls, they are bound to be exposed to wind. They are able to go into the coop themselves at any time if they need to. The coop has very little if any drafts. The run is fully covered with polycarbonate panels by the way.

I did purchase a heated waterer today and replaced their old one with it. I also bought some scratch grains which seemed to be pretty popular.

Then I decided to fence in and connect the area underneath the coop to the rest of the run. It gives the chickens just a little more room to peck around.

I suppose I will refrain from heating for now. I do want the chickens to get acclimated to the cold temps and I don't want to mess with that. Thanks for all the replies. Here are some pictures.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Using a thick gauge extension cord that is rated for outdoor use, taping the connections and plugging it into a GFCI. How is that dangerous?

It really isn't.
I'm an electrician. The only problem is if water does seep into the connections between cords is that the GFCI will trip. If it trips often enough, it will wear out and no longer function. Then where the water has gotten into a connection will generate heat shorting out at least one of the prongs. They will burn up and the cords are no longer functional. As long as that heat generated is outdoors, it won't hurt anything.

 

[RoosterML]

Using a thick gauge extension cord that is rated for outdoor use, taping the connections and plugging it into a GFCI. How is that dangerous?

It’s not, your good!!

 

[RoosterML]

The wind is tough for me to fight because of where I'm located, I get wind from all directions. Without being surrounded by walls, they are bound to be exposed to wind. They are able to go into the coop themselves at any time if they need to. The coop has very little if any drafts. The run is fully covered with polycarbonate panels by the way.

I did purchase a heated waterer today and replaced their old one with it. I also bought some scratch grains which seemed to be pretty popular.

Then I decided to fence in and connect the area underneath the coop to the rest of the run. It gives the chickens just a little more room to peck around.

I suppose I will refrain from heating for now. I do want the chickens to get acclimated to the cold temps and I don't want to mess with that. Thanks for all the replies. Here are some pictures.

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The very least I would cover the North and East facing walls. If you want to cover 3 leave the south facing wall open.

 

[aart]

A lot of people worry about cold and chickens - because the people think it is cold.
For all those people I recommend going to bed at night fully clothed with insulated overalls and a down coat on. That's what chickens do.

Boots, gloves, and a hat too!

The run is fully covered with polycarbonate panels by the way.

Leave some parts open for air movement.....in the coop too.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

OK, I will concede. It is a personal choice, but I’ve been ingrained with the notion that extension cords are for temporary, short term use. I use extension cords for my power tools and electrical yard maintenance equipment. But I keep them far away from my chickens. Also @JoeInPA, did you mean the sides of your run are covered in polycarbonate? Since they are clear I’m guessing they don’t photograph well. Regardless, covering the walls of the run will block the winds and make your chickens happy. Also, a flat roosting bar where they can cover their feet with their feathers will also help them stay warm. Good luck with your wee ones.

 

[JoeInPA]

OK, I will concede. It is a personal choice, but I’ve been ingrained with the notion that extension cords are for temporary, short term use. I use extension cords for my power tools and electrical yard maintenance equipment. But I keep them far away from my chickens. Also @JoeInPA, did you mean the sides of your run are covered in polycarbonate? Since they are clear I’m guessing they don’t photograph well. Regardless, covering the walls of the run will block the winds and make your chickens happy. Also, a flat roosting bar where they can cover their feet with their feathers will also help them stay warm. Good luck with your wee ones.

Just the roof is covered. I can probably cover one or two sides with clear poly panels. Here are pictures of the coop/run. I posted these pictures above but here they are again-

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would cover all or some of the sides if you get a lot of snow where you are at. We started doing it last year on my bantam run, and we will never leave it open again. I don't miss shoveling and the run is usable to my bantams all winter now. There are enough cracks on mine for ventilation. Just don't cover too tightly.

 

[sewchick]

I had heat in my first coop. Every single chicken got frostbite. It was insulated but the heat lamp just did not do the trick. When I did not use heat they were fine. No frostbite. It's not the cold that is the enemy it's the moisture from heating the coop then below zero temps and the heat lamp cannot keep up with the cold. That first year was horrid. Live and learn. Maybe if I had two of the lamps that would have been better. Now that I know they do better without the heat..... Making the coop tight is the answer I think. I had vents to let out the moisture and I kept adding fresh bedding every day. Just enough to keep things comfy. My coop is now being used as a generator house so I am looking for a new one. Smaller this time. I am glad you posted this because we all can learn from each other.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Just the roof is covered. I can probably cover one or two sides with clear poly panels. Here are pictures of the coop/run. I posted these pictures above but here they are again-

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Heavy plastic sheeting will work. My coop and run are both walk in height so clear vinyl shower curtains work well for me. They are easy to move around on warm days. Just make sure you provide ample ventilation. Moist cold air can lead to frost bite.