The most important thing for the cot is that it can be heated in the winter to ensure that the animals are never exposed to frost. To have the possibility to illuminate the cot during winter time, Birdlamps with UV radiation shall be installed for this a power supply is a must. Also keep in mind that once an animal can get sick, then you have the opportunity to set up an infra-red lamp or similar.
It should also be dry inside, so that in the winter when there is cold, wet weather, that bacteria or fungi not starts to disperse.
The size has to be adapted to the number of animals. The interior should be at least for a breeding couple 3 x 3 m. That it is possible to install perches the height should be min. between 2.5 and 3 m.
2. Design
There are of course many ways to do it, the design described below is proved to be ideal for us.
First around should be a base foundation will be poured and a moisture insulated concrete floor plate is needed. On the concrete base a timber frame will be made then. But always as a moisture barrier first put a thick tar paper onto the base, otherwise it may happen that the wood is rotted in a very short time For the timber frame, we have used 10 x 10 cm squares. To obtain an optimal isolation of the cot, the space between the timber is then filled up with 100 mm thick plates of rock wool. How the timber frame is then covered externally depends on you, but for our purposes, a covering with tongue and groove boards are ideal. Timber is a good insulator and you can simply install a scuttle for the animals. The scuttle should be placed close to the ground and should have a size of approximately (H x W) 45 x 35 cm. This is sufficient for the animals. To apply here a bigger one is not necessarily better, that just leads to the fact that the room cools down faster in cold weather.
The roof structure is the same as with any house also. On the chevron a waterproof layer of “Gutex plates” are nailed and then the ventilated slatted frame for the roof bricks is made on top. The space between the chevron is isolated with clamping felt. We have here a 140 mm thick insulation provided.
Important is that you always will take care, that there are no gaps through which flow in the winter, cold air. Because then even the best insulation helps nothing.
With so designed and insulated cot you have to heat in winter, very little. The heat is given up by the animals is sufficient in most cases already to keep the min. temperature of 5 ° C.
3. Interior
The inside covering I made with OSB plates which I painted white after. That is because, in a poultry cot you should have as few gaps as possible, because the animals can mite (red mite) or have other parasites. This increase is not directly on the animals but in the gaps of the cot. As less opportunities are offered as easier it is to recognize and fight them. The white color has the advantage that you can detect a possible attack very quickly.
The interior size should be at least 3x3 m. You should bear in mind that a rooster tail is long with more than two meters. It must also be able to move yet in the cot, without having the whole feather broken
As already mentioned above, an electrical power supply has to be presented. This requires that you can illuminate the cot in the winter well. Arcadia Birdlamps should be installed which will emit UV radiation. The animals need the UV light for their immune system during the winter. You should not install the bulbs in sockets in which they are then re-covered with glass or plastic, which will not allow the UV rays. It is better to let them free protected with wire mesh.
It is recommended to provide a lighting control system that simulates the morning and the evening and you may also regulate the hours of light a day well. The only useful devices for lighting control, we have found in “Heers Elektronik, www.heers.de”. When using light strips (tubes) make sure that it will requires for dimming a special control voltage of 0-10 V. Additionally, a small night light can be used so that animals can orient themselves at night. So you can avoid panic and accidents in the dark. For this we have an air ionizer with small night light.
As sleeping place for the night a big perch has to be installed in about 1.5-1.8 m height. Always make sure that the animals will come down again too. Up is always possible, but down is difficult. It is however advisable to provide additional small remote perches, on which only one animal has space. This creates a refuge for some animals where they are safe when it comes to stress once among the animals. This can be very important in winter when the animals 24 hours stay in the cot.
Carrier green peafowl I hung a breeding box to the ceiling. The animals use the perch also as a popular place to sleep. The nesting box is filled with a sand bottom layer of 5 cm to 7 with straw on top. Thus, the hens in the sand can have a nice hollow shape and then cover the eggs with the straw (hide).
To feed the animals a big feeder with food pellets should be provided. In addition, it needs a small vessel with grit and minerals. These two things should always be offered to the animals.
In addition, of course, they have to have always fresh water available if you make it through drinking vessels or with a fresh water pipe is a matter of comfort. We opted for a water line, as this will save your daily water changes. We have potions with float valve and drain in use. For water changes it only requires to pull the plugs and then the fresh water will run automatically after.
4. Heating
Even for a well insulated cot, a heater is necessary so that the interior temperature during a cold winter period can be kept in min. to plus 5 to 7 degrees. The heating can be done in two ways. You can install a small electric heater (500 W range in a well insulated house), with an integrated thermostat. The problem with these electric heaters is you have to be very careful that they do not get too dusty or get in contact with flammable materials.
The second option is to simply join in the cot to the central heating and install radiators. The initial of course is very intensive. But this solution has the benefits that is there are no risks and lower heating costs. Whoever has the opportunity should also do it.
I have both in use. The peacock cots are all connected directly to the central heating. In the parrot house we have chosen the electric version. This is there also no problem, because there is very little dust and no flammable materials.
scuttle for the animals. The scuttle should be placed close to the ground and should have a size of approximately (H x W) 45 x 35 cm. This is sufficient for the animals. To apply here a bigger one is not necessarily better, that just leads to the fact that the room cools down faster in cold weather.
As already mentioned above, an electrical power supply has to be presented. This requires that you can illuminate the cot in the winter well. Arcadia Birdlamps should be installed which will emit UV radiation. The animals need the UV light for their immune system during the winter.
As sleeping place for the night a big perch has to be installed in about 1.5-1.8 m height. Always make sure that the animals will come down again too. Up is always possible, but down is difficult. It is however advisable to provide additional small remote perches, on which only one animal has space. This creates a refuge for some animals where they are safe when it comes to stress once among the animals. This can be very important in winter when the animals 24 hours stay in the cot.
To feed the animals a big feeder with food pellets should be provided. In addition, it needs a small vessel with grit and minerals. These two things should always be offered to the animals.
Even for a well insulated cot, a heater is necessary so that the interior temperature during a cold winter period can be kept in min. to plus 5 to 7 degrees.