Ted Summey
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2012
- Messages
- 729
- Location
- Germanton, NC
- Tractor
- Kubota MX5100F IH McCormick Farmall 140, Massey Ferguson 135
We of course don't get as cold as you Northerner TBNers but I don't heat my coop either. There's another site that is all about backyard chickens. Over there they have extensive threads about the advantages and disadvantages of heated coops. Several regulars over there live in very cold climates (Minnesota, Alaska and Wisconsin) and don't heat their coops.
There are two or three problems that have to be solved with heated coops - moisture build up, ventilation and power failures. The first two are related. Too much moisture and chickens get sick and can get frostbite. Chickens that get used to the heat can suffer when the power goes out and it is cold.
You want ventilation without a draft and your chickens can stay warm in a well insulated coop that is sized right for your number of chickens. I have six hens in a 4x8 coop. They generate lots of heat on their own and an insulated coop will retain that heat. We have consistently gotten 6 eggs daily all winter with a few of the coldest days (5 or 6) only 4 or 5 eggs.
There are two or three problems that have to be solved with heated coops - moisture build up, ventilation and power failures. The first two are related. Too much moisture and chickens get sick and can get frostbite. Chickens that get used to the heat can suffer when the power goes out and it is cold.
You want ventilation without a draft and your chickens can stay warm in a well insulated coop that is sized right for your number of chickens. I have six hens in a 4x8 coop. They generate lots of heat on their own and an insulated coop will retain that heat. We have consistently gotten 6 eggs daily all winter with a few of the coldest days (5 or 6) only 4 or 5 eggs.