Solar only coop

[New2COchicks]

Hi
so I have heard so many things about the winterizing of a coop and someone just told me with my size coop which is 6 foot by 8 that maybe I should hang a light in winter for heat for my 5 brahmas. That’s all I have. If I did put in a light or water heater I don’t want to run a chord.... any solar options that are good?

 

[Bear1978]

It all depends on the weather and temps where you’re located and having adequate ventilation so that the warm air in the coop that is generated by the chickens can get out and not allow moisture to set in and cause frostbite on the chickens unfeathered parts. As far as them staying warm goes, if the temps don’t get down to way below freezing and they should be ok. They have a lot more insulation on them with their feathers than you think. Plus I would imagine having something like that can become a fire hazard in a coop.
But there’s those on here with more experience than I have who will most likely chime in.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

There aren't any good solar options for generating heat that won't cost thousands of dollars.
Light is another issue. However, I don't know where you live but Brahmas won't need heat in the winter unless it stays well below -20F.
It is expensive to heat a coop. The cost of heating a coop negates any slight advantage of keeping chickens. Luckily, almost all breeds of chickens (especially Brahmas) can handle quite cold temps.
The only issue you have is keeping water thawed or to carry water 3 times a day.

 

[New2COchicks]

Yah I am in Colorado. The temps hardly ever go below 0 where I live at it’s coldest... never below 20. and maybe teens On average for the low and 30s in day in winter.

 

[New2COchicks]

I was also thinking of microwave things that you microwave and they stay warm for awhile... just thinking out loud?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Without having electric at the coop or running an extension cord, your best bet will be to carry water out a couple times a day. They won't need water at night. When you lock up at night bring the water into the house so it is thawed in the morning when you put it out and then add warm water in the middle of the day and again closer to dusk. I use those flexible black rubber feed bowls. They are indestructible and even if they freeze, you can beat them to get the block of ice out.

 

[New2COchicks]

Thanks...I’ve heard people who keep horses are able to keep their water thawed all day with a method..l must look at that

 

[RojoMarz]

We are in Colorado...almost 9k elevation. I think our temps probably get colder than yours and we get more snow.

Our coop is 8x10 and houses 5 (2 LB, 2 RIR, 1 BO). We don't have power either and are not planning on heating the coop. This is our first year with chickens...I've read/seen that heat is not needed, until temps hit double digit negative for lots of days.

 

[Compost King]

Yah I am in Colorado. The temps hardly ever go below 0 where I live at it’s coldest... never below 20. and maybe teens On average for the low and 30s in day in winter.

I wouldn't even worry about winter in your situation from what you described. Especially with brahmas which are large and full of feathers. The only concern is water freezing, in winter the most important time for them to drink is when they wake up, that's when I bring a buck of hot water to dump on the iced over water, or if the water is frozen solid I just take the block of ice out and put new water in. If your temps rarely go below 20 then likely its not going to freeze during the day because it will likely be above freezing most of the day. Just bring out warm water when you open the coop. Those chickens will handle the cold better than they handle extreme heat. They are some really tough birds.

 

[New2COchicks]

Oh thanks