Heating a chicken coop in winter is especially important for poultry care. Chickens are not adapted to life in the cold, and they begin to experience discomfort at subzero temperatures. Much also depends on the breed of the bird, as there are frost-resistant varieties of laying hens. Nevertheless, it's important to think ahead about how to heat a chicken coop in winter without electricity.
Gas boiler
Gas heating is best used for large utility rooms. You spend a significant amount of money on the boiler and auxiliary equipment, plus you have to pay for the gas.
Therefore, it is not advisable to use this option if you only have 15-40 chickens living in a small barn.
Furthermore, this type of equipment requires high maintenance. Gas boiler installation should only be performed by qualified service personnel, as they must test and verify the entire system.
Natural warmth
A combined poultry house and barns housing other livestock do not require heating for cattle. Anyone who lives in a village knows that one cow produces enough heat to heat an entire barn. It is recommended to house cattle in a combined house for maximum cost savings.
However, there are some things to consider when placing the lamp:
- the IR emitter should be placed in the center of the room to ensure uniform heating;
- It is necessary to exclude direct contact between birds and the lamp - for this purpose, the lamp is enclosed with a metal mesh;
- Avoid getting water on the lamp.
Read also:
https://youtu.be/sdLY07y684E
A potbelly stove – a method without electricity
Many small homeowners use a potbelly stove for heating. Stove heating has many advantages and is undemanding in terms of fuel. The only drawback is that the metal the stove is made of corrodes due to high humidity.
In addition, it is necessary to create optimal conditions:
- a chimney is required for a potbelly stove to operate;
- It is necessary to constantly monitor the combustion process to prevent a fire;
- it will be necessary to purchase fuel;
- compliance with safety regulations;
- The potbelly stove should be located away from flammable surfaces; it is better to insulate it.
The theoretical foundations of installation discussed above will allow you to maximize the efficiency of your stove. Recently, many new electric heating elements have become available, but they consume so much energy that costs will increase several times over those using the methods described above. It's important to carefully consider your choice of winter heating method for your chicken coop, as it will determine your future costs.
Diesel stove
A diesel stove is very powerful, yet completely harmless. This type of equipment requires diesel fuel, which you'll have to constantly purchase. Most importantly, a diesel stove is completely safe. Using this system, you won't have to worry about heating your chicken coop in the winter without electricity. The system's efficiency is high.
The Bulerian is a unique heating system that can operate on any type of fuel. It's an air convection heater with numerous advantages and is ideal for a variety of operating conditions. Of course, the advantage is that it can use any fuel that burns easily and converts into energy.
Heating a chicken coop year-round is a fundamental task for farmers. If you want to produce consistent eggs and ensure your hens remain healthy, you need to ensure a heating system. All issues should be addressed in the summer to ensure your birds are warm and comfortable during the winter.
Central heating
When heating a chicken coop in winter without electricity, consider connecting it to your home's heating system. This method is suitable if your outbuildings are located close to or adjacent to the house.
To implement this project, a separate branch pipe from the heating boiler will need to be installed. The circuit must be closed, just like in a house. The working fluid will circulate continuously; for maximum efficiency, an auxiliary heat pump can be installed.
Connecting to your home's heating system is straightforward if you can install the exhaust pipes yourself. During the winter, the heating system will be running constantly, which has a significant impact on the poultry.
There are countless heating methods without electricity, but the choice is yours. Based on the natural and climatic conditions in your region, the size of your outbuildings, and your budget, you can choose the best option for heating your chicken coop in winter.
It is worth noting that in a warm environment, hens continue to lay eggs even in winter; if the temperature in the building drops, they stop laying eggs.