Energy Efficient, Radiant Heat Coop

In my search for cool coop designs I’ve focused on not the biggest or most well built, but those that express something about the folks that made them to house their flock. Sometimes that has meant using upcycled materials or fumbling along with no previous experience to create something they’re proud of. 

When I came across Brett and Lori’s coop I was taken by the unique feature of having a radiant heating system. Lots of folks think that chickens don’t need a supplemental source of warmth, even in sub-zero temperatures. Judging from the number of posts I see in online chicken groups about frostbitten birds they are wrong. Heat lamps can be a risk for coop fires, but this set up is genius.

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My wife Lori and I live in Michigan. We’ve had chickens for 5.5 years. Our flock consists of nine hens and a rooster: Light Sussex, Marans, Chantecler, Rhode Island Red, Gold Laced Wyandotte and Easter Egger. We recently hatched a couple chicks and built a brooder box for them. 

I have been building for years, but this hen house has been a dream of mine for years.

Plans

It was a collaboration of what I had envisioned and what my wife wanted. We brainstormed for a few years and had a drawings, layout sessions in the yard and inside the hen house as it was being built. A lot of plans changed based on cost (the roof was supposed to be metal, not shingles) or practicality. Some things just wouldn’t work like we envisioned or we had a better vision as things presented themselves.

Who did the work? 

I did the majority of the work. My son helped a lot with the structural portions of the house including the cameras, concrete, insulation and roof. Lori helped when and where she was needed and she also helped with the design of plans.

How long did it take? 

Well, the portrait isn’t dry yet! We are coming up on two years, but the planning has been in my head for 15+ years. I would think about it while riding the lawn mower.

Budget

There really wasn’t a budget. We used repurposed windows, doors and siding. The structural portion was all new. I am sure we could have done some things cheaper but we only plan on doing this once.

Coop & Run 

Hen House: 10’x12’ with a cathedral ceiling. Run: 20’x24’ is covered in galvanized fencing for extra protection 

Features

• Insulated concrete with radiant floor heat, totally spray foam insulated for the best energy efficiency. A boiler heats the water and when the thermostat calls for heat it turns on a circulating pump that pumps hot water throughout the concrete slab. The floor temp is at 61 degrees. It’s so comfortable for them and with a warming plate they are living it up! 
• The floor temp is at 61 degrees. It’s so comfortable for them and with a warming plate they are living it up! 
• Can lights in the cathedral ceiling and a beautiful chandelier for an enjoyable ambiance. 
• The pen is completely predator-proof, with galvanized fencing including covering over the top 
• Several strands of string lights draped for visual aesthetics and character
• Security cameras   
• All windows have been repurposed and can open with removable screens for proper air ventilation and beautiful breezes 
• Mini water trough that is controlled by a float valve to turn water on and off
• Water spigots for hot and cold water 
• Floor drain for easy cleaning 
• Automatic coop door 
• Antique feed trough and beer lugs as nesting boxes from my grandparents’ old farm. 
• One long roost bar with removable dropping trays 

Plans for the future 

We plan on adding a low run around the garden and connecting it to the pen. There will be a vegetable cleaning station and compost areas in between the garden and hen house.  

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Many thanks to Brett and Lori Miller for sharing their story and photos, used with permission.