Suburban Chicken Coop - Preventing Freezing
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- In this video I show some of the ways that we are keeping the chicken coop warm in the winter including keeping the watering system from freezing. We have had a few days in the 20's here in Michigan so I have had some time to test out the heating system that I have set up and it is working great so far! The watering system that I put together this summer has been working well and it has been so nice not to have to clean out the water!
To prevent freezing in the watering system I am using a product called heat tape or heat cable. You can find that product here - tinyurl.com/hea.... All that is required is some electrical tape, duct or foil back tape, pipe insulation, and some zip ties. The installation is pretty straight forward for any piping system. You run the thermostatically controlled heat cable under the pipe you would like to keep from freezing and hold it in place with zip ties or electrical tape. Then wrap the pipe in insulation and cover with foil back or duct tape. The heat cable only turns on when the temp is below 40 degrees and then turns back off once the water is heated up enough. So far this seems to be working great!
We have also installed a heat lamp on the inside of the chicken coop to provide a little bit of heat for the chickens as well. They enjoy the light it provides and also some warmth! To control the temperature in the coop we are using a small thermostatically controls outlet. This product is available here - tinyurl.com/qz5.... This little outlet turns the heat lamp on when the temps gets down to 35 and then warms the coop up to 45 and then shuts off. This saves energy and allows it to automatically keep the temps above freezing inside the coop. I know that the chickens can probably do without the heat but they do seem to enjoy it!
Next year I will be running some more permanent electrical wiring, light sockets, and installing an outlet for the heat cable but for now I just have a extension cord run to the coop from an outdoor outlet on our home. This will work in the meantime but it is not the best permanent solution. I hope this helps you with your own coop in some way!
Heat cable - tinyurl.com/hea...
Thermostat Outlet - tinyurl.com/qz5...
Check out the Simple Suburban Living General Store for products used in the coop construction
astore.amazon.c...
For more information please visit www.simplesuburbanliving.com
Hi SSLFamily. I'm a brand new subscriber. I think your feeding & watering system is ingenious! I'm a semi-retired healthcare worker & am considering getting chickens. I'm vegetarian, as well. I live alone, so taking care of the chickens will be my responsibility. I love your videos. I would like to see more episodes that involve your family, kids included. Thanks for all your chicken raising info.
+C F thanks! If you decide to get chickens you will love it! Please let us know if we can help in any way
Also being a Michigander I worried my first winter with chickens last year when we hit record lows. They were fine and had no ill effects. If you heat your coop you not only risk fire but if the power goes out you risk loosing your entire flock because they are not acclimated to the cold. Not worth the risk. Chickens have these really cool down coats that they wear year round. The cold is not an issue if they have shelter.
As for the water there are various methods for keeping water thawed for them. We set up a cookie tin with a light bulb under the waterer and it keeps it from freezing.
Thanks Suttons Daze that is some good advise. Last year was a nasty cold winter so it is good to hear your chickens did well without any additional heat. The heat lamp will probably stay out there with the birds this year, if not for them, it makes my wife feel a whole lot better:) With the temp outlet I am using it just keeps it above freezing to not really warm. Also keeps the eggs from freezing when we forget to get them! Which, happens more than I would like to admit. Thanks for watching!!
+SSLFamilyDad They don't need heat. You're putting them at risk of being killed in a coop fire to make your wife feel better. Collect the eggs more often to keep them from freezing
Great information! You're a genius. I'm pretty much stealing your ideas for my coop. Thanks for posting, it's a great help to those of us just getting started.
+Rick JC Glad I could help in some way aand please let me know if you have any questions. Good louck with your setup!
Great video. Anxious to see how the whole winter goes. That would be great if the chickens continue to lay all winter.
So far we are still getting 6 eggs per day, chickens don't like the snow though, they just hide in the coop all day and poke their heads out the door. The 10 degree temps this week have really tested the water heater and it is holding up pretty well.
I found your videos today while thinking about the idea of putting a chicken coop in our backyard, and I just wanted to thank you for the outstanding videos! While I don't have your woodworking skills and don't think I could build the coop the way you have scratch, at least now I have a better handle on what to look for, and some of your GREAT ideas like the food and water delivery systems that I could incorporate into a pre built setup. Keep the great videos coming! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year tou and your family.
Wow, thank you for the encouragement. I am here anytime if you have questions when you do decide to make the jump into the chicken world. You won't be sorry, it is very rewarding. Thanks for watching and commenting!
You're Suburban Chicken Coop series is awesome. Keep it up!
Thanks!
Thanks. BTW, I've been looking at all kinds of coop designs & so far yours is the kind I need. The only thing I would change is build a longer run. I have a 1/2 acre property, so that won't be a problem. After looking at your videos, I decided I want to put my coop next to a large tree in the back yard.
free plans at our website www.sslfamilyfarm.com
Nicely done! I had watched the first video about your watering system and I had to come back to see what you did to keep it from freezing. This is now officially on my to-do list. :-) Not sure when I'll get to it now that we're finally getting snow. It's been a strange Michigan winter already.
On the subject of hens laying during the winter, I had always heard that giving them more light would encourage them to keep laying, so we put a regular light in our coop. However, they still stop (or at least slow down) laying whenever the temp drops below freezing. Time to look at either a heat lamp or better insulation ...or both. I like your temp sensor idea for the lamp.
It has been a strange winter hasn't it. Ours have been pretty consistently laying 5-6 eggs per day (6 chickens) so I am not sure if it is the heat lamp or the light that it produces that is helping. I plan to do an update with how well they are laying after about another month of winter. Thanks for coming back to check it out!
Chicken Coop series is awesome Great information I like your coop gracias!
Great video. I use much of the same type system as you. I only use a heat lamp for both the water and keeping the coop warm. I have a series of insulated panels that i can easily attach to the outside of my coop during the winter and take down and store behind my garage when it's warm. That allows my heat lamp to easily keep the inside of the coop warm along with the enclosed watering system.
It's overkill but it sure beats listening the my wife and daughter nagging me all winter about the birds " freezing to death". lol We bought the birds with the ideal of eventually eating them but they have become my wife and daughters pets so that will never happen. I live in Southern Ohio so the weather is typically not quite so bad as you have up north of me.
My wife and daughters also share similar concerns about our birds:) Next year I might add some insulation on the inside just so the light doesn't have to run as much but so far it is done the trick. Temps went down to 10 last night and nothing is dead or frozen!
this is so helpful and you have great ideas for lower maintenance... i love that~thank you
I would think about a 55 gallon rain water collecting barrel. Mounted high enough ti would automatically fill your chicken water by gravity. 55gallons should last your chickens between rain episodes. That way no one forgets to water the chickens
Please reconsider coop heat. They don't need it. Especially not if you don't get below the 20s. It gets below ZERO here in Maine and I don't heat my coop. Chickens are more cold hardy than you might realize. And heat lamps lead to coop fires as well as frostbite because they create moisture. If you lose power, your chickens won't be accustomed to the cold and CAN freeze then.
Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily
I understand and we haven't had it out there this year. Last year it was down to -10 - -15 for weeks and so we kept it out there for them.
I had chickens in the Verde Valley, AZ. No need for heat, but they did need light.
Lisa of Fresh Eggs Daily I don't have light in mine in michigan and every night instead of staying in the coop they go out a sleep on the fence with the dog.
great work!
Everything looks great how did the water system make out during coldest part of winter?
Great job, inspiring. ty
Thanks!
Also, I live in central N.C., so I likely won't need a heat source.
Hi, I'm incubating quail eggs and this is my second time doing it, last batch of eggs I got a few shrink wraps. Would you know how to prevent shrinkwrapped chicks?
-Mikki
Hi. I like your coop. I noticed your feeding system, are you happy with it, does the feed cake up on you in cold or humid weather? Thanks, and ty for the vids. I enjoy them a lot.
357lockdown Feeding system has been working great! When it is very humid outside I sometimes can get some of the feed to cake up on the first 45 degree angle going into the feeder. I just break it up with a stick when that happens and it is back in business. I still only fill it about every 4 -5 days.
Nicely done! What breed of chickens are those that you're raising and why did you choose this breed? Do they go broody? Thanks for sharing.
These are called ISA Brown chickens. They are a medium sized chicken, they are heavy layers, docile, and fairly good brooders. Of course, you will need a rooster for that. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing that. :-) You have a new sub here. :-)
hi nice vid
I have a question for ya
we have a small coop with 5 hens. and concerned with winter temps we picked up a heat lamp and put it on timer to help take the pinch off inside coop , we get down to -20C previous winters.
so it got dark and hens went to sleep as usual and I have the timer set to go on for one hour . we saw the lamp go on and it woke the hens up and disturbed them horribly . It is the red heat lamp from a farm supplier . I turned off right away as we were not happy that it disturbed them. doesn't your lamp wake them up and if so is that ok for them
thanks
I always tell my wife, if you can't fix it with duct tape and wire, it's too broke. :)
lol, I think I used some of both here:) Duct tape really is a necessity around any homestead large or small. Thanks for watching!
Again, awesome job on your videos! I incorporated so many of your ideas as mine is being built. Chicks are here and growing and my coop is just about done despite being delayed with all the rain of biblical proportions Colorado has had.
I have a few questions. I noticed you added a window to your coop, I am planning to add one once the kids finish painting it today. We get to about 96 to 98 here in the spring summer months and I want to at least add one up high to vent out the heat and keep them cool. I know you live up in Michigan, does that one window do a good job?
Second question, I am planning to use the same roofing material you used and found it at Lowe's. We have a few storms (blizzards) with up to about 60 mph winds and I saw that you did not use plywood to on your rafters in the run. Have you had any trouble with it coming loose? We also have mice here in Colorado and your hardware cloth only goes up to the rafter which leaves openings in the run roofing area. We have anti gravity mice that can almost climb window glass and I know that they will get up there and into the run area, would you suggest nailing it to plywood or OSB wood? Once again, Thank you!
TheMountainMan Chef Thanks! Roofing has been just fine, been through some pretty big storms and it has not been a problem. The window has not been an issue as far as the size goes. We don't spend too much of the summer above 85 and the coop is under a big tree. The chickens also are out in the run all day and not in the coop when it is hot. they seem to lay all the eggs first thing in the morning and then go out and eat and burrow in the sand all day. Good luck on your coop, sounds like it is coming together nicely!
SSLFamilyDad How about roofing felt? Did you add that to the roof before you installed the roof? I was just looking at your "Sliding door" video and you said you were repairing the watering system....what happened to it and did you insulate better? Thanks again!
TheMountainMan Chef We had a winter that was the coldest in over 15 years and the watering system kept freezing up on the outside part. It would not freeze completely but enough where the water was not getting through and it was not working well. So, I decided to just turn the heater off and then it all burst. I will be redesigning it this year so that I can shut off the outside portion and just heat the inside part. I will also insulate the coop a little bit as well to help. I did not use roofing felt for this roofing.
Love all your vids. Have watched most of the chicken coop vids several times over.
Have you thought of using solar power to go off the grid?
Also, any issues w predators getting in the coop per the slight opening between the tractor run and coop?
Thank you for the scripture. Refreshment for the soul. Keep it up brother!
Lance Leo I have thought about adding rain collection for the water but not sure the investment for solar would pay off in this case. Only time I need electric is to keep the watering system from freezing and for the heat lamp and I would need quite a bit of solar and batteries to offset that. Maybe down the road if I can get my hands on someting used for cheap I will look more into it, thanks for watching!!
Great feedback. Makes perfect sense.
Any thoughts on the gaps between the run and the coop? Perhaps I am getting paranoid. Just trying to get everything planned out prior to my build.
Lance Leo We are pretty lucky here and I have built a 6 ft fence around our yard with no gaps. This keeps most larger predators out. We also don't have too many issues here up by our house with raccons, possums, or snakes (not yet anyway) I have a piece of trim to close that gap but I have not gotten around to it but no issues yet:)
+SSLFamilyDad Just a matter of time. Get that gap covered up.
Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily
Thank you Lisa for the feedback! All over it.
I would love an update to this video this year, if you plan to do one.
+Andrew Hooghkirk I l be doing an updated version of the watering system soon to prepare for this winter. The setup I had didn't hold up when we were -30 degrees this winter:(
That's what I was afraid of. What zone are you?
Andrew Hooghkirk Mid Michigan. Last year was one of the coldest winters we have had in quit some time. It worked perfectly until we had sustained temps below zero for weeks on end
Okay. I'm in north eastern MN and (zone 3) not sure that system would work for me.
Andrew Hooghkirk Basically what I am doing this year is closing off the outside portion and only heating the inside portion. I may also insulate the coop walls to retain more heat.
I probably missed it from another video, but do you have the blueprints/plans for that coop? I love it!
Oh man, I wish I did. People ask me just about daily. I may have to put something on paper (digitally of course) and post it on the site but right now I don't have any plans. Thanks for the interest!
catchin up on your vids, this was helpful, have you considered solar for your power ? im thinking about trying a small solar set up to keep a heat lamp lit during the winter nights.
+Permaculture Prepper Chickens don't need heat. I wouldn't bother with a heat lamp.
I didn't this year
I posted a question on a previous video of yours before I realized that you had multiple videos...so this answered on of my questions for you, as far as what you do in freezing temps. :) So I guess the only other question I would have for you is how the insulation/tape is holding up to the chickens "investigations"? I noticed during your video that one chicken pecked the back of the waterer...are they modifying your work, or has the curiosity worn off in the past couple days? :)
Thanks Nissa Bowen, I was worried about them pecking at the insulation and tape but they have not seemed to do that much at all. I keep checking it and no signs of destruction so far. I will keep you posted though. Thanks for checking out the coop!
SSLFamilyDad Thanks so much for your response, and great info! Love the videos your family have put together, and I just went online and checked out your website last night - fantastic job!! Looks like you are living the good life, and I love the reason you stated for sharing your knowledge on social media!
I like your coop. Very well planned. I have a question. I have a coop with a light bulb socket. Does any one know if it's safe to use a heat emmiter in the light socket without the lamp to heat the coop in the winter or do I need the lamp to protect the ceiling from getting too hot? I'm a newbie
CRYSTAL MILES Heat lights can be a danger in coops and I have heard many people starting coops on fire with them so I would be on the side of caution.
+SSLFamilyDad Any type of heat lamp is dangerous.
Hi there! My mum and I are looking into getting our own suburban chickens. We live up in Canada and it gets pretty cold in the winter (sometimes to -20F). Do you think we could keep our chickens during the winter? What measures would we have to take to keep them warm? Thanks.
DianaBanana I don't see an issue with that at all since it was down to -10 - -20 this year here in Michigan as well. I keep a heat lamp in the coop in the winter and I will be insulating the inside this year as well for added heat and to hold heat better. Chickens can survive to pretty low temps from what I have heard as long as you keep them dry and out of the snow.
+SSLFamilyDad We live in Maine. No heat at all. Heat lamps are dangerous. Lots of straw for insulation and scratch grains before bed and they should be fine in a dry, draft-free coop.
Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily
Your Heat lamp is way to close to the ceiling in that coop. be lucky if it doesn't catch fire some day, I do use a heat lamp but mine hangs free from the ceiling by fencing wire
Just got our coop put together. Its a kit from tractor supply. Hoping to get 3 hens. The kit says we can have 6-8 hens. Will hens share a bed?
+Victoria Martin they will roost when they sleep and they only use the nesting box to lay eggs which they don't all do at once so you should be fine with that, good luck!
Our hens will share a bed. I wouldn't suggest just one box for 6 hens though. You may get 2 or more hens that will want to lay at the same time. If this happens, you may end up with broken eggs.
Can you tell me what kind of chicken that is. And where I can buy some. Thanks a lot.
These are ISA Browns. They are a hybrid of Rode Island Red and Rode Island White. They are heavy layers (shorter life span) and very friendly. We purchased ours at Tractor Supply Company in the spring. One of the main reasons we chose this breed was because they are what is called Sex-linked. This just means that you can easily tell which are male and which are female by their color. Since we needed all females (no rooster in our subdivision) this worked out best for us. Thanks for watching!
thanks a lot for your response. I'm just trying to find out which kind of chicken would taste the best.
Hmong Nuv Tses This breed is not necessarily the best breed for eating, these are primarily egg layers. Although, they are a large enough bird where it is feasible to raise them as dual purpose.
Thanks
@@HmongGeorgiaFishing that depends if the food you give them
Did you ever end up insulating the coop? It seems to me keeping heat in is a lot easier/cheaper than heating a coop that loses that heat.
+DRJGD666 yes, I did insulate the back wall and roof and covered with plastic sheeting. I no longer use the heat lamp in winter at all
This waterer would never work in 40 below with snow
Sorry asked before looking down farther
Bruh 20-30 is cold to you? Bruh that is arctic temperatures if you ask me
Xxx?
Ik ipp