Small Coop Heater

[Destinye]

We have six chickens that are three or four weeks or so old (slight difference in ages) and just got the outside coop set-up but it is not a big enough coop for the heat lamp we have. Looking for some other ideas on heaters/lamps - can I use a ceramic reptile bulb in the same lamp fixture? We just have a regular coop light we were using inside the brooder (aka plastic tub).

This may be a temporary coop but needed to get something fast (we are planning to build a large run so they will have more space) and yes I know it is not the vest coop in the world! It is supposed to get down to 36 or 38 at night this week, and may just bring them in at night in the meantime.

http://www.hayneedle.com/product/chickencoopdeluxe.cfm

Looking for some safe and easy ideas for night time!

 

[Judy]

Are you saying you have that coop now? If you start getting them used to cooler temps now, they can move in without added heat in a week or so. Remove the heat indoors if you haven't already, and start taking them outdoors during the day. Put a bunch of hay or whatever in the coop so they can snuggle down into it.

Sorry, I don't know anything about reptile bulbs. I'd probably use it if it screws in the socket.

Check this out:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/735392/redneck-fungshui-brooding-17-degree-temperatures/0_20

 

[Destinye]

I have them in it today for the first time, after I assembled it! I am thinking of bringing them in at night in the meantime, it is 77 degrees today in sunny WA State but this week will be cooler and down to 36 at night midweek. They are very happy to be outside! But also planning ahead for winter as we may need to insulate or have a heat source. I have removed the heat at night for a week or so because it has been hot here and was 65 degrees in the house at night (and used the regular wall heater in that room just in case) so maybe bring them in and keep them cooler at night then in the meantime?

 

[Judy]

It sounds like it's the perfect time to leave them in the coop -- without heat. For now they should be fine with the coop door closed and some hay to snuggle in. If you have a few warmer nights then cooler nights on the way, it's a perfect time to see how they do. If you check on them when it is cold, I think you will find they are sleeping peacefully, snuggled next to each other. Only if they pile one on top of the other are they too cold. For now, til they are older, I think they will be OK in there.

You should not need heat or even insulation in winter. You are much more likely to have a problem with heat in the summer. Chickens tolerate temps well below freezing without heat -- but they need good ventilation to allow the humidity and ammonia that they put out to leave the coop. In the summer, 100 degrees can be lethal to them. I haven't lost any to heat (knock on wood) but mine have loads of breeze and shade in the summer.

Ventilation in your coop should be at the high point of the coop. Frostbitten combs are caused not by temps in the 20's but by coops that don't allow the humidity from their breath, bodies and poop to escape. From the pics it loooks like your coop has a very small vent up at the peak. I would enlarge that before they reach adult size and summer temps arrive. In summer, they will probably need the window open all the time. You might want to predator proof it by screwing hardware cloth over it. In winter, the window doesn't make good ventilation because the wind would be directly on them. (What is a draft in winter can be welcome breeze in summer.)

They might actually be OK in that coop even at adult size. One thing you could do is take out the barriers so that the two nests become floor space, and perhaps put a nesting box at ground level. (They will most likely all use only one nest, anyway.) If you make it larger that 12" on all sides, two or even three would probably use it at the same time.

 

[Destinye]

Thanks! Yes we plan to build a big run with a secure door and fencing, and can move it too. I am very worried about predators and the D O G (we have four dogs but one we need to watch) since we had bad luck with chickens a few years ago. That's a good idea on the nesting box below too, once they start laying/grow bigger. We have a lot of space (6 acres) but a lot of predators! Usually it is unusual here to be in the 80's or higher but will probably add some shade and can leave the side door open if we have a secure outer coop and will check into the hardware cloth too just to be safe, also the inner door where they climb up the ramp is open but may block it off. It does not have much ventilation at all up top really...

We live in a very remote area, and wilderness (Olympic Peninsula, WA) so have to really predator proof the outside run area, just hope we can do it! My daughter is nine and very attached! Well me too...! We are keeping these up by the house so it should be safer.

 

[Destinye]

PS I am like a MOTHER HEN myself over these chicks!