Battery operated / need radiant heat?

[sweetpumpkinfarm]

It’s our first winter with our ladies & I know we are not in a cold area (I am in SoCal) like people dealing with below zero temps. But I still worry when it gets to our lowest temps later this winter overnight if I need to have a heat source. In the summer I had a small portable battery operated fan in roost at night for the heatwaves & can’t seem to find a safe battery option for heat (radiant panel?). I wouldn’t need anything ever in run during day but for our coldest overnights? Pics for ref—I always keep the vent/window open always facing the yard & close the one facing inside the run. I have 4 ladies and all are cold hearty (wynadotte, marans, cinnamin queen).
Thanks!!!

 

[Tookie]

They'll be perfectly fine, no heat addition needed! The only thing is, is that they shouldn't have any drafts on them. So the window you keep open above the nesting box should be closed. But if you close it, it looks like you have no other ventilation? Ventilation is important and each bird should have roughly 1sq ft of it, that's open 24/7, and is above their heads so they don't have wind blowing on them.
Although, depending on how cold you're getting, and how much wind you can have, they would probably be fine leaving the window open in my opinion.
My flock does perfectly fine with freezing temps which we have had the last couple days. I also haven't put up some walls in my coop I took down for summer, and they were all good. They are protected from wind though.

 

[sweetpumpkinfarm]

They'll be perfectly fine, no heat addition needed! The only thing is, is that they shouldn't have any drafts on them. So the window you keep open above the nesting box should be closed. But if you close it, it looks like you have no other ventilation? Ventilation is important and each bird should have roughly 1sq ft of it, that's open 24/7, and is above their heads so they don't have wind blowing on them.
Although, depending on how cold you're getting, and how much wind you can have, they would probably be fine leaving the window open in my opinion.
My flock does perfectly fine with freezing temps which we have had the last couple days. I also haven't put up some walls in my coop I took down for summer, and they were all good. They are protected from wind though.

thank you! yes, thats only ventilation when interior coop window is shut. I’ve thought of assing higher narrower ones but they also have a lower roosting bar on other side of roost where air wouldnt hit them directly & I’ve noticed they still opt to sit near the window. our coldest temps are usually high 30’s. and wind wise I have that overhang above vent & would hope theyd move to other lower bar as well? of rainstorms hit my plan was to close outside vent if needed, open inside facing larger one for air & use shower curtain to block rain from exposed run/coop side (other side is 3 feet from garage with roof/gutter & shielded deom wind by the garage structure.

 

[nuthatched]

No need for any consideration for heat

 

[DobieLover]

if I need to have a heat source

You have no need. No need whatsoever.

I always keep the vent/window open

Yes and add more.

Please remember that you are dealing with birds and not mammals. They need copious amounts of ventilation for fresh air and dryness, not heat. Never in your climate.

 

[RoyalChick]

I think you have all the answers you need already. Remember they are wearing fluffy down PJs - more likely to be hot than cold!

Not that you need it, but don’t keep looking for a battery heater - don’t think you will find one. The power needed for a fan is a tiny fraction of what a heater uses, so a heater would need massive batteries to work.

 

[Tookie]

thank you! yes, thats only ventilation when interior coop window is shut. I’ve thought of assing higher narrower ones but they also have a lower roosting bar on other side of roost where air wouldnt hit them directly & I’ve noticed they still opt to sit near the window. our coldest temps are usually high 30’s. and wind wise I have that overhang above vent & would hope theyd move to other lower bar as well? of rainstorms hit my plan was to close outside vent if needed, open inside facing larger one for air & use shower curtain to block rain from exposed run/coop side (other side is 3 feet from garage with roof/gutter & shielded deom wind by the garage structure.

With your temps they're perfectly fine, and honestly would also be fine with that window staying open with no windy or rainy nights. But of course its better if they have no drafts on them. Sometime when you have a chance I would add some higher vents for winter. For now you could shut all windows or close that one window more.
Your plan on what to do for rainstorms is good!

 

[AGeese]

My flock is jelly of SoCal temps right about now.