Chicken Coop Heater

by chicken house plans on Thursday, December 24th, 2009 | Comments Off

Precautions When Raising Chickens During Summer and Winter

Chickens seem so fragile. They seem without any survival characteristics. But that is not true 100%. They have some characteristics that allow them to pull it through and survive in harsh weather conditions. Of course, those traits depend on the chicken species.

Some chicken can withstand the harsh conditions of winter and other may like to do sunbaths. It depends on the type of chicken and on the weather he is accustomed with. So don’t waste your money and your precious time with a type of chicken that likes a different weather than the one you have. It may be very hard to raise chicken under difficult conditions.

The winter time

In this cold weather, many people try to heat the chickens. They think that they will do them good. But don’t try that if you want alive and healthy chickens.

They can catch a cold or even freeze. You may leave them healthy and safe and in the morning you can find them dead. For your information, keep in mind that chicken can adapt to difficult weather conditions. Their body has a changing metabolism that helps them survive during cold temperatures.

If the place where you live has a cold weather with harsh temperatures, you may want to take some precautions before bringing the chicken in. In this way, you will be ready for them and you will not put their lives in any danger.

Some of these actions are:

1. Sometimes, the low temperatures cause the comb or the wattle to have frostbites. If you want to prevent this from happening, you can rub a petroleum jelly or another kind of moisturizer on that place from time to time.

2. Make sure the water supply is not frozen. Depriving the chicken of water can seriously damage their health. If the water is frozen, the chickens will not get near eat and they can die without water. Also, make sure the water reserve has no impurities. The chicken can get diseases from those impurities. If there is a danger or freezing, get a heater and warm up the water. Make sure the water stays warm at all times. If you don’t posses a water heater, get the water inside your house and bring it to the chicken in the morning.

Summer time

If you have a house located in a place where there is summer all the time, the chicken can suffer form being exposed to heat all day long. They could be dehydrated and that is not good. The one thing and very important thing you need to do during summer is to make sure they have water all the time. Make sure the water is fresh and pure. Refill the supply whenever it is possible. Also, don’t let the chickens run around without providing them some shade. Also, you can provide some ventilation in their pen.

Another important thing is that when heat waves occur, the hens can lay excessive eggs. This is not a good sign. It means the hen is very stressed because of the heat. If the heat stops or the temperatures goes back to normal, the laying process will resume to normal.

Also, during extreme weather conditions it is good to observe the chickens for any abnormal behavior. Notice the way they walk, what they eat, how often they eat etc.

If you see one of them isolated in a corner or acting a bit strange, it means they have caught a disease. Get the chicken and put it in quarantine to prevent the disease from spreading.

The isolated animal also needs water, food and treatment. After he has recuperated, the sick chicken can return to the others.

Some symptoms of chicken sickness include: depression, sneezing, teary eyes, loss of appetite, mites, abnormal stools and the tendency to become isolated.

If you notice any of these signs, talk to the vet and get treatment for the chicken.

About the Author

Click here now and find the best chicken coop plans available for download online.

Learn how to build a chicken tractor and save money!

How should I keep my ducks & chickens warm?

THE DETAILS:
We have either snow or an ice storm coming in this week. I have three ducks, 2 roosters and 2 chickens. They did fine in our light snow last week (with highs in the 20s & 30s), however the temperature is staying from 0 at night to 15 degrees during the day in a few days. They have a large dog house and a 3x3 chicken house to seek shelter in, both with hay. None of them are insulated though and I can NOT hook any kind of heater out there in the coop as there is no electrical hookups nor will anything reach. So I need other solutions to keep them warm.

My Question:
What can I do to prepare them for the cold front and to keep them warm for those few days?

(Most helpful will be awarded 10 points, and immature answers will be given a thumbs down).

DUCKS::
Duck's need their environment kept clean They also need a swimming spot(pool, ponds,lakes etc etc) for their physical & mental well-being, without a swimming spot ducks can NOT maintain their waterproofing this is very important for these birds so they can Thermo-regulate (keep cool in summer and warm in winters) this also prevents them from drowning.
Feed the ducks a quality feed to get weight on in the fall( fatten them up) with plenty of good foods.
A dry shelter/coop/house.Same as a chickens coop/pen/ house.with straw or hay on the floor.
Ducks are more likely to be eyed as food in winters for cats dogs hawks etc.etc. If any birds do act ill or sick do bring into the home and help them out if can a stressed out bird can quickly freeze from loss of energy Baby ducks are always inside there tiny bodies Can Not Thermo-regulate at such a young age A small pen/coop/house is wise for the birds to huddle together to stay warm in such cold weather

Chickens::
: Can stay warm by sitting close together and fluffing the feathers out more than usually with a tight coop/pen/house as well helps so much for the birds. Free from rains, winds, snows.Chickens will fair into the low 30:s But if the water freezes its to cold for the birds as well.This is when you as a bird owner must supply a supply of warmth. A clamp light is great for this or a heat strips work very well the same,All will have enough heat to make the birds feel better and help keep alive,Can also tack card board all within the coop/pen to keep winds and rains out from your birds.Have a secure coop/pen/house as well.Place straw or hay all over the floor for the birds.Cardboard acts like an insulator. Leave a vent opening to release old air. Place plastic all over the coop then place old blankets over all this to help the birds.