Heated roost for peafowl

In many areas of the country where wintertime temperatures drop well below freezing, there is a need for providing  a heated roost for cold sensitive varieties of peafowl and game birds. We live in east-central Indiana and we  provide a heated roost for our Burmese green peafowl. The heated roost design that is described in this article is  very inexpensive to build and to operate during periods of sub-freezing weather. We use this heated roost only for  our Burmese green peafowl, but it can be used with any variety and age of peafowl to prevent frost bitten toes and  to reduce deaths caused by extremely cold weather. The bill of materials required can be found at the end of this article. Roosts for peafowl should always be placed so  that the peafowl sit on the flat side of a 2″ x 4″ or 2″ x 6″. This allows the peafowl to sit on their feet, rather than with  mtheir toes exposed while gripping a round roost, which prevents frost bitten toes. If the roost bows due to the  number of roosting peafowl or the length of the roost or both, a second 2″ x 4″ will have to be installed on edge on  the bottom side of the roost to provide added support.

Step 1- Purchase an electric heat tape used on water pipes to prevent them from freezing. The heat tape should  have a thermostat that will turn it off and on at approximately 38 F. The heat tape should be long enough to run  along the 2″ x 4″ twice. Leave about 6″ of each end of the 2″ x 4″ uncovered by the heat tape so the completed  roost can be secured inside of the building or stall. This will reduce the length of the heat tape required by 1 foot.  See photo #1

Step 2: Secure the heat tape to the flat side of the 2″ x 4″ with the plastic staples. Be sure to leave enough excess  heat tape on the thermostat end so that the thermostat can hang freely under the roost. This prevents the peafowl  from sitting on the thermostat and giving it an inaccurate reading of the actual air temperature. See photos #2,

Step 3: Wrap the carpeting around the roost and secure to the bottom side of the 2″ x 4″ with roofing nails or long  staples. Leave about 4″ on each end of the roost uncovered by the carpet. The roost is now complete. See photo #4

Step 4: Install the roost with dry wall screws or nails. I use dry wall screws so that the roost can be removed once  the cold weather months have passed. Bill of material: 1-2″ x 4″ inch x length required for roost. 1-electric heat tape  with thermostat. 110 volt, 2 x length of 2″x 4″ minus 1foot. Plastic staples used for 12/2 electric wire. Space every 2  foot to secure heat tape. Carpet remnant or piece of indoor/outdoor carpeting to wrap the 2″ x 4″and heat tape. 1″  roofing nails spaced every 1foot to secure carpeting to 2″x 4″

Bill of material: 1, 2″ x 4″ x length required for roost. 1, electric heat tape with thermostat. 110 volt, 2x length of 2″ x 4″ minus 1′. Plastic staples used for 12/2 electric wire. Space every 2′ to secure heat tape. Carpet remnant or piece of indoor/outdoor carpeting to wrap the 2″ x 4″ and heat tape. 1″ roofing nails spaced every 1′ to secure carpeting to 2″ x 4″.