Extreme Temperature Blanket for Eglu Cube

[SirSquirrelNutz]

Question for Omlet owners, does anyone think that the extreme temp blankets is help during cold temps? How much does it help? Any issues with covering vents and humidity?

Cheers!

 

[aart]

Any issues with covering vents and humidity?

Absolutely!
You do not want to reduce ventilation.
I'm not an Omlet owner, but this goes for any coop.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I bought the one WITHOUT the back cover, for exactly the reason aart said. The FB groups give mixed feedback as to whether the covers are worth it or not. I have a humidity monitor in our Cube, so I'll return if it's causing an issue. Omlet does have a very generous return policy.

 

[SirSquirrelNutz]

Absolutely!
You do not want to reduce ventilation.
I'm not an Omlet owner, but this goes for any coop.

Thanks aart, not sure if it does restrict ventilation. But like you are pointing out blocking vents is not good. I am getting mixed information about this blanket, some say it is "breathable" but I have my doubts. Hope to get thoughts from others that may have used this in extreme cold weather. This is my first winter in WI with chickens. The Cube will be in a run (w/roof) and mostly shield from wind. Here is a screenshot of the blanket and Omlet Cube. The minor vents are along the roof edge of the coop and ones in front and back are not covered.

 

[SirSquirrelNutz]

I bought the one WITHOUT the back cover, for exactly the reason aart said. The FB groups give mixed feedback as to whether the covers are worth it or not. I have a humidity monitor in our Cube, so I'll return if it's causing an issue. Omlet does have a very generous return policy.

You are in the same spot that I am in. Also not covering the back as it seems like it is way to much restriction. When you think you will add it or how cold? Good ideas on monitoring humidity. I will do the same and also measure outside the coop to compare. My understanding is the coop at worst should be the same humidity as outside and ideally lower.

 

[thecatumbrella]

You are in the same spot that I am in. Also not covering the back as it seems like it is way to much restriction. When you think you will add it or how cold? Good ideas on monitoring humidity. I will do the same and also measure outside the coop to compare. My understanding is the coop at worst should be the same humidity as outside and ideally lower.

I'm going to add it once it hits 30-32F at night. My cube is also inside my run, so I feel like that adds a lot of additional weather protection (especially once we panel/tarp the walls). I have a second humidity sensor in the run to compare the Cube to, and so far so good!

 

[SirSquirrelNutz]

I'm going to add it once it hits 30-32F at night. My cube is also inside my run, so I feel like that adds a lot of additional weather protection (especially once we panel/tarp the walls). I have a second humidity sensor in the run to compare the Cube to, and so far so good!

Thanks for your feedback, very similar approaches. Can I ask another question, are you planning to add bedding material on top of the perches for extra warm during the colder months? Defeats the cleaning a bit, but may give chickens more warmth. Something I have been thinking about.

 

[aart]

I thought eglu's had double wall construction for 'insulation'?
Not sure a blanket would help much.
Besides, adequate ventilation means a coop will never 'hold heat'.
Slightly more heat with raised humidity(from inadequate ventilation) is a recipe for frostbite.
Plus a tiny short coop is very difficult to vent properly without subjecting the birds to direct drafts.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Thanks for your feedback, very similar approaches. Can I ask another question, are you planning to add bedding material on top of the perches for extra warm during the colder months? Defeats the cleaning a bit, but may give chickens more warmth. Something I have been thinking about.

What we ended up doing was buying an untreated 1x4, cutting a couple perches, then slotting them into the existing roost tray with wooden "cleats" (don't know if this is the best word). This allows them to sit on their feet and warm up. The chickens love them. I can take a photo this afternoon if you're interested.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I thought eglu's had double wall construction for 'insulation'?
Not sure a blanket would help much.
Besides, adequate ventilation means a coop will never 'hold heat'.
Slightly more heat with raised humidity(from inadequate ventilation) is a recipe for frostbite.
Plus a tiny short coop is very difficult to vent properly without subjecting the birds to direct drafts.

Omlet makes a handful of bogus claims. It's basically a glorified cooler. I wouldn't be surprised if the blanket is complete bunk, but they already got half our bank account... so why not!

And yes, for anyone else reading to learn about Omlet products: the ventilation is not ideal. You need to be very mindful about how many birds you're keeping, how often you clean it (ie: EVERY DAY), and keeping the Eglu itself sheltered from sun/wind.

We've had to make several adjustments to get it to work in our climate (New England, with hot summers and cold winters). The build quality and customer service are FANTASTIC, but you really can't expect to just set it and forget it.