Size of coop required for indoor water heater

[LizzzyJo]

Hello! I have a well ventilated coop built for about 12 chickens (see avatar). I have 3 in it right now. Can I put their water warmer base in the coop or will my orpingtons get damp and die? The coop is not lit or heated. I was planning on having the base warmer inside but then I read that could be dangerous. We are not set up to have it outside. We will have to build a run roof. I am in the Great Lakes area so not heating the water is not an option (full time jobs).
Also, I am planning on putting a 5 gallon plastic waterer on a metal heater base. The box says this is ok. Is it?
Thoughts? Ideas? Thank you!

 

[wamtazlady]

If you put that system in the coop it will increase the humidity in the coop and you may need extra ventilation. Any open water will increase the humidity especially water that they can splash. For the past few years I've just thrown a tarp over the run to keep the snow out and put clear vinyl shower curtains on 3 sides to make a nice winter run for the birds. Of course when it snowed someone would have to get the snow off the tarp. This year the run was improved. Put a metal roof over it. That tarp wasn't pretty but it did work for 3 years. My waterer is kept out in the run year round.

 

[blackdog043]

Can you post a picture of your coop, it will be easier to see what you have to work with, also how big is it? The base with the plastic waterer should be fine, as long as it heats the water enough, so it doesn't freeze. I would put the base on something, like a paver block or two, to raise it and help keep the water clean. You could make a temporary A frame shelter with a couple pallets, to put the waterer under, if you wanted to put it in the run, until you cover it. Keeping an open waterer inside may increase the humidity, which could lead to frost bite. If you have something to check the humidity, you could try it and go from there. Also since your run is not covered and if you get snow, the chickens may not come out to get water. Then you would have to keep it inside.

 

[Stepnout]

Hello I live in Canada we just went through a week of Minus 12-15 Celsius with wind chills in the minus 20's. I use the waterier from the Eglu Cube I have. I have it sitting on the ground. here is a link to the water heater I am using. So far there has been no ice in the water. here is the link.
https://fourlegsorwings.com/collect...cts/k-h-waterer-deicer?variant=13617594957929

PS: I have 5 pullets all laying, the water should be changed everyday. I'm sure they go through more water in the winter.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Thank you all for your help! I think I will go with the heater in the run and put a roof on the run.

 

[Cryss]

Good choice.

Thank you all for your help! I think I will go with the heater in the run and put a roof on the run.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I am planning on putting a 5 gallon plastic waterer on a metal heater base. The box says this is ok. Is it?

My heated base says for double wall metal founts only on the box.

I use a heated base in my new coop 22 1/2 square feet with a 2 gallon fount. . It's been down to 9 F so far. .No frostbite on pullets or frost in coop. I leave a window cracked open always. . GC

 

[imnukensc]

I have the exact same heated base and used it last winter with my homemade 5 gallon plastic waterer. No problems at all.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have the exact same heated base and used it last winter with my homemade 5 gallon plastic waterer. No problems at all.View attachment 1616722

Interesting. GC