Question about keeping Broad Breasted turkey warm in extremely cold winter climate.

HalosHaven

Chirping
Sep 11, 2024
37
164
79
Upper Peninsula, MI
Hello,

I'm thankful to have found this platform. I love learning about your chickens and using that information for my turkey.

If I understand correctly, I'm supposed to give a quick introduction.

I worked for a company that sells poultry and I rescued 7 months ago, I rescued a young Broad Breasted White turkey poult that had just come in on the truck and had been severely beaten, bleeding and gasping for breath. I had seen this many times, unfortunately, but THIS bird stole my heart. I am a vegetarian and have never eaten meat, but I felt that I just had to, with the help of God, try to give this little bird a chance at life. Fast forward 7 months, and "Halo" is the light of my life.

I have worked very hard to provide my bird with the best care possible and have learned a great deal from many sources.

One issue I am facing now is that I live in a climate that gets consistently -20F for up to 3 months at a time and often doesn't get above zero for days on end. Halo's coop is 12' long, and 5' wide, metal sided, plywood inside that and 2" foamboard on the ceiling, 3" foamboard on the sides and covered in heavy indoor vinyl composite material. The floor is a layer of plywood, followed by 2" of foamboard, followed by another layer of plywood. The bedding is a very thick layer of pine shavings and straw. There is also a roost-style box made that is elevated 4 inches off the ground on a platform and a layer of insulation on the sides of the box, except the front. The issue is, the person that cut the windows, cut them too far down. I wanted them at the top of the coop. He cut them halfway down on the end and one on the south-facing wall. They are 18" by 13" each. I currently have foamboard inserts to put in them, but I leave them uncovered because I keep a close eye on the humidity level in there. I cover them in burlap right now.

With our winter approaching, we had our first cold night, 20 degrees F. Halo's water froze. My question is, does anyone have any ideas on how to keep Halo safe this winter. I've insulated like crazy, it's not drafty, other than the window issue I explained. Has anyone tried heating a coop with an oil radiator heater? I'm so afraid of milkhouse heaters and any kind of space heater, won't do brooder lights and a simple light bulb just won't work. There is an option for electricity, which I am using for water. What can I do to ensure good ventilation without having to completely remodel those windows and have new ones cut right as winter is here? Or, is that the only way?

I would appreciate any advice, other than what other platforms have said about these "types" of birds. My bird gets wonderful care and this group seems like a great place to get the answers I am looking for. Thank you in advance for any tips. Have a great day!
 

Attachments

  • BALOCOVERPHOTO.jpg
    BALOCOVERPHOTO.jpg
    427.5 KB · Views: 119
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow

Nice introduction! I don't know much about Turkeys however you might stop by our Turkeys forum for more help... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/turkeys.20/

Beautiful bird in your photo, ❤️ how wonderful you could give this bird a second chance at life!

Make yourself at home here and welcome to our community!
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow

Nice introduction! I don't know much about Turkeys however you might stop by our Turkeys forum for more help... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/turkeys.20/

Beautiful bird in your photo, ❤️ how wonderful you could give this bird a second chance at life!

Make yourself at home here and welcome to our community!
I will definitely look at the turkey forum. I wasn't aware of this feature. Thank you so much for your response. :)
 
hello and welcome! I think radiant heat panels are safe. He can stand next to them if he feels cold. View attachment 3967173
Thank you so much for your response. With those panels, if they touch the bedding or the ground, are they safe? I don't mean to sound ignorant on them, I am just so afraid of fire. I didn't think I would have to go with a heating option, as I believed all of the steps I planned would be good for Halo. Is there a brand in particular that you recommend to be safe? I absolutely appreciate your time.
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.

For my chickens, I use a heated fount style waterer with a 2.5 gallon reservoir tank but I would be concerned that Halo's snood or wattle would get wet and freeze in that style waterer.
Thank you for your response. You have a very good point. Halo does like to swish around in the water and the snood does get wet. I will definitely look into that. The one I have right now is a heated water bowl from TS. I really appreciate you bringing this up. :)
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom