My story of finding and building the best heater

[Dim2000]

Because in my climate and most, they are not needed and are more of a risk/ unnecessary expense than a benefit.

Yes, you probably right in some states. And was it unnecessary expense, to your opinion for colder places with -20C, or -30C as well? I saw different opinions about that. .?

 

[DobieLover]

Yes, you probably right in some states. And was it unnecessary expense, to your opinion for colder places with -20C, or -30C as well? I saw different opinions about that. .?

My birds experience -20 to -30C so that is typical for my area. They do fine.
In colder climates, it would be better to get breeds developed to tolerate colder temperatures than to add heat. There are many valid reasons to avoid supplemental heat.
Most people that go on about needing to heat a coop don't offer proper ventilation and are thinking in terms of mammalian needs. Avian needs are not the same. They have different coping mechanisms to survive the winter. I've never seen chickadees, cardinals or crows slide into heated nest boxes every night to survive winter here.

 

[Dim2000]

My birds experience -20 to -30C so that is typical for my area. They do fine.
In colder climates, it would be better to get breeds developed to tolerate colder temperatures than to add heat. There are many valid reasons to avoid supplemental heat.
Most people that go on about needing to heat a coop don't offer proper ventilation and are thinking in terms of mammalian needs. Avian needs are not the same. They have different coping mechanisms to survive the winter. I've never seen chickadees, cardinals or crows slide into heated nest boxes every night to survive winter here.

In nature, yes, however couple of my friends had their chicken frostbites in colder temperatures and some were suffocated while coping together in cold , I heard that laying eggs was also reduced due to surviving factor. Might depend on a breed, age or health condition?

 

[DobieLover]

In nature, yes, however couple of my friends had their chicken frostbites in colder temperatures and some were suffocated while coping together in cold , I heard that laying eggs was also reduced due to surviving factor. Might depend on a breed, age or health condition?

How much ventilation did the coop have?
Were the birds properly protected from drafts?
Were they large single combed birds that are much more prone to frostbite than a tighter comb, like a pea or rose?
Did the birds go to roost with full crops to digest and keep their metabolisms revving all night?
Did they have normal feathering to fluff up and trap their body heat?
Egg production drops every winter due to the fall molt and lowered light. It doesn't have anything to do with colder temperatures. And guess who also doesn't lay eggs in the winter? All the wild birds. Hens laying eggs outside of a normal breeding season is for the convenience of humans, not for the betterment of them as a species.

 

[Dim2000]

I looked into the City requirements for a backyard coop, they say heating is needed. And the problem - they won't allow IR lamp (fire risk - close to the house). And it is different in out of the city area - I get it. But still if they see it is needed, so why else not to get a safe monitored heater

 

[DobieLover]

they say heating is needed

I bet they've never owned a chicken in their lives.

 

[Dim2000]

How much ventilation did the coop have?
Were the birds properly protected from drafts?
Were they large single combed birds that are much more prone to frostbite than a tighter comb, like a pea or rose?
Did the birds go to roost with full crops to digest and keep their metabolisms revving all night?
Did they have normal feathering to fluff up and trap their body heat?
Egg production drops every winter due to the fall molt and lowered light. It doesn't have anything to do with colder temperatures. And guess who also doesn't lay eggs in the winter? All the wild birds. Hens laying eggs outside of a normal breeding season is for the convenience of humans, not for the betterment of them as a species.

I know, she has a proper ventilation and proper draft protection - yes, Also - the egg is human convenience, right, still the owners are self sufficient - so might need the eggs in winter still. No idea about the other things.

 

[Dim2000]

I bet they've never owned a chicken in their lives.

Cannot say , sorry I cannot post a link here, but you can Google City of Calgary chicken hen program. Seems like they know what they are talking about - pretty extensive guide.

 

[aart]

so might need the eggs in winter still.

It's not heat that produces eggs in winter, you either need to get fresh pullets every year and/or use supplemental lighting.

 

[Dim2000]

So basically, if I understand correctly from you guys - there is no need to worry about any heater in coop - it is all about natural immunity of chickens against cold, sufficient light, and fresh pullets every year (which I don't think I am ready to replace), even in -20, -30C. I get it. So basically those are the reasons not to get an adequate heater - no need?