I've seen several posts that use the cookie tin heater or a heated dog dish. Probably a stupid question, but are you just placing your plastic waterer on top of the cookie tin heater or dog dish? And if so why not just put the water in the dog dish and let them drink from that? I did find several helpful hints here and now have a lot of new ideas for reconstucting my chicken run for next winter. My husband and I were considering moving our chickens into a side room in our garage (7 x 10) that isn't heated, but the garage is so the room would still be above freezing. It has windows to the south and west and we are fully protected on the north and west by heavy woods. My concern after reading all the posts would be the girls getting bored because we have no run to let them outside. I only have 6 RIR, so they would have plenty of space; just not sure what would be better. Move them to the garage or try and winter up the somewhat tacky run I have. The coop they are in is 8 x12 and the run is about the same. The run shares the south wall of the coop. We don't currently have electric out to the coop, but can run electric cords. I didn't plan on heating the coop but want to heat water as I'm gone 10 hours during the day most days. Being from east central MN, we can have some pretty extreme cold. Would you plastic protect the 3 open sides of the run or leave the south wall of the run open? Lots of rambling and questions, any help is appreciated.
