What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[DoctorDoLittle]

During the very cold weather at the end of 2010, I decided I had to give the Chickens some background warmth in their cube!

Yes I am a new owner (Nov 2010) and spoil them.

The heater and thermostat is designed for greenhouse / outbuilding heating and is waterproof (manufacturer states the heater is hosepipe jet waterproof). The heater is only 80W so only uses 1kW over a 12hr period. The thermostat is generally set to about 12C.

The parts were purchased for ~£75. I have some photos on Picasa to show central heating in place

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/110062987547982662602/OmletCubeCentralHeating?feat=directlink.

 

 

 

Dave

[bouldercroft]

that's super impressive...great job!

 

I added a little heater pad to my last week when we hit a low of nearly -30C but in all honesty my 1.5 chickens survived day temps of -10C and night time temps of below -20C minus heater!

[Redwing]

IMHO thats not a good idea for the UK, hens dies far more easily of too much heat than too much cold

 

In a draughty shed maybe, in an Omlet Cube which is already double skinned for insulation thats asking for trouble sorry

[Chucky Mama]

I agree with Redwing. My hens have been out in the cube in all weathers and have been fine. By adding artificial heat you may be preventing them from feathering up sufficiently to cope naturally. This will do them no favours when they are out of the cube in the elements.

[DoctorDoLittle]

I have monitored the internal temperature of the cube using wireless temperature sensors and when the temp falls to minus 5C the system provides a max of 6C. It is really designed for frost protection. A temp of 6C is the same as a domestic fridge! This is not heat like in a centrally heated house so chickens certainly won't get "soft". The sensors monitor 24/7 although electricity is only on when temp drops below zero.

[Lewis]

As clever as it is, and looks like you've done a great job , I have to agree its a bit OTT for the chickens.

 

You also have to remember they've got all those insulating feathers like a duvet and will all sit together and stay warm that way.

The cube is already notably warmer if you put your hand in there - may be as cold as a fridge but they've coped for 100s of years without central heating

[alet_chicken]

It's very clever, and neatly done. I agree with others about using it inside the Cube though (but it probably depends on how many girls you have in there).

 

HOWEVER, wouldn't it be wonderful to have something like this to keep their drinking water from freezing!

[Sam]

Agree with what others said, but wow, it does look really cool Wouldn't a snugglesafe be more practical and a lot cheaper too though?

[sandyhas3chucks]

I have monitored the internal temperature of the cube using wireless temperature sensors and when the temp falls to minus 5C the system provides a max of 6C. It is really designed for frost protection. A temp of 6C is the same as a domestic fridge! This is not heat like in a centrally heated house so chickens certainly won't get "soft". The sensors monitor 24/7 although electricity is only on when temp drops below zero.

seems reasonable to me!!

as long as you have only got a few girls in there. I use snugglesafes in my Eglu's during really cold temperatures if there are only 2 or 3 girls in ther and if one uses the nest box, but if there are 4 I just use one on the afternoon to warm /air the Eglu before bed