The coop, heat/cold and 14 week old chickens!

[Cheryl]

Finally today is the day, the girls are going outside!!! The coop isn't done on the outside, but it is perfect on the inside! Hopefully no design flaws, DH and I have had eggcellant help here at BYC! So I need your professional advice again, I have a flat panel heater on the wall, and a red heat lamp both plugged into the thermo cube. Do you think they will be OK seeing as to their age and living so long in my basement (unheated, but certainly not cold!) Today it is 30 outside and the temp in the coop less chickens reads 36! I acknowledge that some feel no heat, cause the pilgrims certainly didn't have any, but I don't want them to go into shock either!!! Thank you!

 

[Cheryl]

all you cold weather people, I could really use an anwer!!! I know it has only been 25 minutes....

 

[patandchickens]

I have no relevant experience, sorry, but I'd think that at least you'd want to turn the heat lamps on in the coop and let them run a good long while to get it pre-warmed for the 'kids'?

Good luck,

Pat

 

[sclanimals]

How big is your coop and how many chicks? My chickens would LOVE thirty degrees right now!

 

[Chatychick]

I live here in Kansas and I dont heat my coop at all. They do have a heated water bowl for water. And all mine stay warm by being close together. Not sure but I would wait to let them out when it gets a little warmer and then they can aclimate better. Just my opinion

 

[Cheryl]

The coop is 4' x 6' and 4' high, insultated, with large window facing south...pictures are posted on my page....
As for waiting for warmer weather, that won't happen until spring time and their home in the basement will give them a hunchback! I've put the flat panel heater directly into the outlet to heat the place up a bit and will go from there, meanwhile I was looking at another thermostat, it looks adjustable...
http://www.kkontrols.com/poth8ftco.html

 

[annrich]

Hi there, I am in Western NY it's been in the 30's during the day and 20's at night. My coop has been holding temps between 50- 55 degrees. I have a heat lamp as well. I think it depends on how many chickens and the insultion in the coop. It was holdin at 60 until we opened the run back up.

Good luck

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Cheryl, what temperature have they been living in? I'm sure with the heaters, they will be ok in the coop. I think it's good that you are adding supplemental heat in this case, as they haven't had any time to adapt to the cold. I would get everything turned on and working fine, before adding the chickens.

It's going to be an adjustment for them, because everything will be different, but they will get used to it. It sounds like they will like having more space.