No heat in the coop and dead bird

[BantyChooks]

Is there anyone out there that is getting this vortex, West Virginia and north who has brought their chickens in? I am debating stress factors and respiratory issues that may develop from taking them from 8 degrees into a 48 degree basement and back out again to below freezing temps against leaving them out there when it is supposed to get down to -9 or lower.

I bring my pet birds in for a few hours if they're looking bad. It re-sets their 'clock' and they're good to go for a while longer.

I really doubt you'll have issues at -9F though. I have highs that are lower than that: the majority of my birds deal with it just fine.

 

[chonsey]

I already had to bring my juveniles and put them in a plastic crate - a Christmas tree storage bin, they weren't going to make it at -13f. So I will be introducing them to the flock Sunday when we get back up to 27. Then I'll put them in a wooden shipping crate with a heating pad(got it at Walgreen, has the option to turn auto shutoff off), wood shavings. I'll put the lid partially on, so they can get in and out during the day. But when the temps drop at night to 0, I'll be putting them back in until morning. This is crazy cold, we're breaking records. Wish I had heated perches! Do they sell these? Anyone know how to make them? Heat tape? I'll figure something out - They will have these for next year, maybe this week. It would keep their feet and their butt warmer.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I already had to bring my juveniles and put them in a plastic crate - a Christmas tree storage bin, they weren't going to make it at -13f. So I will be introducing them to the flock Sunday when we get back up to 27. Then I'll put them in a wooden shipping crate with a heating pad(got it at Walgreen, has the option to turn auto shutoff off), wood shavings. I'll put the lid partially on, so they can get in and out during the day. But when the temps drop at night to 0, I'll be putting them back in until morning. This is crazy cold, we're breaking records. Wish I had heated perches! Do they sell these? Anyone know how to make them? Heat tape? I'll figure something out - They will have these for next year, maybe this week. It would keep their feet and their butt warmer.

I have seen heated perches - I think at tractor supply, but I bet they are online.

 

[chonsey]

Read some reviews where they malfunctioned & burned the chickens feet. Some reviews said their chickens wouldn't use it, it sits real low to the ground and slippery where they couldn't perch-but works as a small heater. Guess it probably has to do with the size, I have giant brahmas...might not work for them. It might work as a small safe heater at 55w. My roosters crowing sounds terrible this morning....ugh! I'll be early shopping this morning. So I can quit stressing. Found out I should be using sand as litter since it keeps the moisture down. Helps prevent frostbite. Keeps their feet cleaner, cooler in summer, warmer in winter. And it needs to be washed construction or equestrian grade. Not play sand or mfg, too fine. Guess I'm doing the deep litter method this year, til spring.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Someone posted about wrapping roosts in towels, that would likely prevent burns and solve the slippery issue if you really wanted to try heated perches. I also see no reason you couldn't mount them on a higher shelf.

I've seen a tutorial for Christmas lights inside a pipe with a thermostat attached to control the temp. I think there are many directions of interest here. Composite deck railing maybe. Gutter downspouts ring a bell but might be too flimsy. Hmm.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Read some reviews where they malfunctioned & burned the chickens feet. Some reviews said their chickens wouldn't use it, it sits real low to the ground and slippery where they couldn't perch-but works as a small heater. Guess it probably has to do with the size, I have giant brahmas...might not work for them. It might work as a small safe heater at 55w. My roosters crowing sounds terrible this morning....ugh! I'll be early shopping this morning. So I can quit stressing. Found out I should be using sand as litter since it keeps the moisture down. Helps prevent frostbite. Keeps their feet cleaner, cooler in summer, warmer in winter. And it needs to be washed construction or equestrian grade. Not play sand or mfg, too fine. Guess I'm doing the deep litter method this year, til spring.

Maybe try a heated mat that can be used under bedfing? I've read both sides of sand vs deep litter so make sure to read the cons too. I decided against sand due to how heavy it is and the access needed (which I don't have due to the prefab set up).

 

[chonsey]

Well, found my lady hens huddled under the nesting boxes with my roo this afternoon. Got a bale of straw to help absorb moisture, put straw under the nesting boxes along the wall. Got a heat lamp (125w)& hook & clamped it and wound the cord up. Hubby helped fix the drafts & fixed the door latch - made sure the door was closing good. Big difference! They got up on their perches by the time we were done. Had to unplug the water bowl, will keep checking it to make sure it doesn't freeze. The North wind is unmerciful! Countdown to Sunday - 20's will seem warm compared to this.

 

[chonsey]

Someone posted about wrapping roosts in towels, that would likely prevent burns and solve the slippery issue if you really wanted to try heated perches. I also see no reason you couldn't mount them on a higher shelf.

I've seen a tutorial for Christmas lights inside a pipe with a thermostat attached to control the temp. I think there are many directions of interest here. Composite deck railing maybe. Gutter downspouts ring a bell but might be too flimsy. Hmm.

I like the idea of Christmas lights inside the pvc, will check the clearance racks, maybe they'll have a couple of sets of old fashion light strings - since everything LED (doesn't get warm enough). That would give me heated perches....mmmm. Will have to do a safety test to see how warm & how I could control the heat before I actually would use them.

 

[chonsey]

Got the PVC pipe for perches, got to find strings of regular Christmas lights. Going back to the hardware store for the red heat lights 250w. Ice is freezing in the water bowl. Promised hubby I'll unplug the heat light Sunday.

 

[PirateGirl]

Got the PVC pipe for perches, got to find strings of regular Christmas lights. Going back to the hardware store for the red heat lights 250w. Ice is freezing in the water bowl. Promised hubby I'll unplug the heat light Sunday.View attachment 1226664

I honestly am doubtful of the Christmas light idea becaus over the years Christmas lights have been designed NOT to put out any heat due to Christmas tree fires that were more prevalent years ago due to older Christmas lights that did produce heat. Please update us and let us know how it goes.