with the colder weather setting in,, (WAYYY too early , BTW),, I had to plug in the coop, lights and water heater. Its darn right cold in there. I put down another layer of hay. But with the lower amout of birds I have this year,, they jsut cant produce enough body heat to keep warm. I started with 25 hens last year,, and the water would only freeze during the coldest nights,, its been freezing solid already. I didnt build the thing to be air tight and such. So, Ive been plugging the air spaces up with old rags and bubble wrap. Im thinking about adding boards on the inside, so I can fill the space with styrofoam peanuts, Ive been saving this stuff for when I sell things on ebay and such,, but this might be a better use.

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), October 18, 2002

Answers

I've never tried the styrofoam ghosts but if you have access to sawdust, that is a good insulator, used to put it in the walls for ice houses, before insulation. Also if the chickens get into the styrofoam, seems that they will try to eat it and the saw dust wouldn't be as bad for them as the styrofoam as long as it is not cedar saw dust(have heard that it is bad for gallenas).

-- BC (desertdewller@yahoo.com), October 18, 2002.