Yet another cold weather question

[PeJones]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, guys....we put a lot of bedding in there but for whatever reason they kick it out of their sleeping area. I like the water bottles. I think that will help quite a bit. They really only seem to utilize 1/3 to 1/2 of their coop but as the winter moves along I think that they will probably find the need to use more inside space and less outside space.

 

[fiberart57]

I used a gallon-sized water container here on the Western Slope of Colorado when the nightime temperature dropped below zero and I think it worked fairly well. I put almost boiling hot water in it, topped it off with a bit of hot water from the tap, took it out to the coop and buried it in the shavings. Completely to the little blue cap. I put it out around 7:00 pm and when I checked it at around 6:30 am, it was frozen, but not much. There was probably less than a quarter of an inch of a frozen layer on the top and sides and the hen house felt warmer.

My coop is 4'x6'x 4.5' high and is well insulated. All but one vent is covered by laying vinyl over the openings and I have six standards so they help keep the heat in.

I think the trick is to bury it in the shavings so the heat is released at a slower rate. I think it worked and I'll use it again if I need to which might be Christmas Eve, I hear.

Mary

 

[chauqg]

I use 60 watt bulb anchored in ceramic light bulb fixture; that is in the bottom of 8" cinder block which is sitting on top of a 4" cinder top course block. On top of that a square of galvanized sheet to cover the hole with bulb beneath (fire break and protection of deep litter); on top of this I have a 16'' wide 4" deep rubber utility pail from feed store... Placed in the pail is a 5 gallon closed plastic bucket; it is drilled 2" from the top and filled with water upside down in the 16" pail. Used plastic bucket because metal reacts with apple cider vinegar and other water treatments. Food grade plastic does not react.

NOTE: need to put top of some sort on 5 gallon bucket to keep birds from roosting on it and pooping in the water. No poop in water since I stopped them from roosting on the bucket. Water lasts 3 days without filling and longer if I bring 1 gallon out filling the pail daily.

My coop is not insulated (10x10'), has 10' x 5" vent on the south side that is currently open. There is lots of glass to let sun light in on south (2 36"x36" windows) and east side of coop (6'x4' window). North side and west side are solid walls.

When temp outside was 15 degrees early this AM inside the coop was 40, when the sun came out (entering the windows) in a clear sky the inside temp was 55 while outside temp was 25 degrees; with cloudy skies the coop is 20 degrees warmer than the outside temp.

With ventilation as it is there is no condensation inside and likely there will be no frostbite. Water is always free flowing and about 50 degrees.

I have 4-5 inches of wood shavings on 3/4" plywood floor which was varnished before it was placed in the coop. The floor is on top of the 16" joist with 1/2" square hardware wire covering the entire under floor surface.

There are no drafts, just the southern ventilation which is now completely open, but is adjustable.

If this 60 watt bulb in an 8" cinder block is heating my 800sq foot coop it will surely keep your coop warm, but must have sufficient ventilation. You could use a 4o or even smaller bulb if your coop is draft free.

Hope this helps - it is working for me! Will be posting photos soon.

Cheerz