Heat lamp thoughts!

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ashrich6

Chirping
5 Years
May 13, 2014
44
3
81
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hi!

I have 4, 1 1/2 year old Buff Orpingtons. We live in Salt Lake City and this winter is a cold one. WAY colder then the past couple years. Lately the nights have dropped to 6-10 degrees. Tonight it is suppose to drop to 19 degrees. On top of all this, I noticed 2 of my hens have decided now is the time to molt! One hen has a bare bum!

We have not put a heat lamp out there because I have read on here that they catch fire, explode or the chickens won't adjust to the temperatures well. I went today to the farm store for hay and chicken feed and I asked an employee what I should do and she said to get a lamp since they are molting and how cold it has been. So I bought one.

What I did was set outside of their coop and on the run where they walk out. The lamp is covered and is over their food and water. It's about 4 feet from the ground. I hope this is the right decision!

What else are people doing this winter?


I am hoping to get a timer on it so it turns on about 5 am so when they wake up they walk out to a little bit of warmth.


Thoughts and opinions are appreciated!!!
 
I don't think it's necessary and don't like worrying about it. You have to remember, other places have colder winters than where you live and raise chickens without heat.
 
Consider placing a heat lamp so it warms the roost and where they loaf. Take care to limit fuel where light might fall. Make so birds can stand on dry fresh hay or straw while loafing.

They can survive cold yes but additional heat makes life more comfortable and helps keep them in lay as outside temperatures drop.
 
We get way colder than that here, chickens handle cold a lot better than heat, I wouldn't waste my money running a heat lamp, they will be fine.
 
oldhenlikesdogs said:
We get way colder than that here, chickens handle cold a lot better than heat, I wouldn't waste my money running a heat lamp, they will be fine.
Click to expand...


You are not doing a lot of thinking beyond how to be contrary. I keep most of my birds under stars in a manner that is at least as stressful as what you put your birds through. They are a lot tougher than ornamental breeds, none-the-less if I had expectations of egg productions or had birds in poor feather, then common sense dictates the birds lives become easier during what are otherwise stressful conditions on the birds.
 
I think a prime consideration is how are you supplying the electricity? Another question is how did you hang the light? If you are running an extension cord or have the light just cobbled up, the chance of fire is a real possibility.

Molting chickens look ghastly, but as you noticed, it does not really seem to bother them.

I agree with oldhenlikesdogs - I don't add heat or light. I am too far from electricity, it gets equally as cold as the op here in SD, and my last bird is almost done molting. I think it is more important to provide dry bedding as Centrachid mentioned, and good ventilation. It is better for birds to be dry, than warm.

Mrs K
 
centrarchid said:
You are not doing a lot of thinking beyond how to be contrary. I keep most of my birds under stars in a manner that is at least as stressful as what you put your birds through. They are a lot tougher than ornamental breeds, none-the-less if I had expectations of egg productions or had birds in poor feather, then common sense dictates the birds lives become easier during what are otherwise stressful conditions on the birds.
Click to expand...
I don't think Oldhen was being contrary. Just stating her opinion. I happen to agree. My chickens will lay in much colder temperatures than that without heat - just supplemental light if I choose to add it. But these chickens aren't going to lay anyway if they're molting. (in re-reading your post, I see you did also state "Or had birds in poor feather") I think they'll be just fine with plenty of straw or hay or similar bedding to snuggle down in during the day. In my opinion, you're wasting your money having the lamp on outside and that far off the ground. Not sure how much heat they're actually getting anyway. Is there a way to wrap your run in plastic to keep the wind off them? It could have a greenhouse type effect if you can cover it, too. If they're shivering, I would maybe consider heat, but otherwise no.

ETA - Centrarchid - have you been affected much by the flooding down there?
 
Last edited:
ashrich6 said:
Hi!

I have 4, 1 1/2 year old Buff Orpingtons. We live in Salt Lake City and this winter is a cold one. WAY colder then the past couple years. Lately the nights have dropped to 6-10 degrees. Tonight it is suppose to drop to 19 degrees. On top of all this, I noticed 2 of my hens have decided now is the time to molt! One hen has a bare bum!

We have not put a heat lamp out there because I have read on here that they catch fire, explode or the chickens won't adjust to the temperatures well. I went today to the farm store for hay and chicken feed and I asked an employee what I should do and she said to get a lamp since they are molting and how cold it has been. So I bought one.

What I did was set outside of their coop and on the run where they walk out. The lamp is covered and is over their food and water. It's about 4 feet from the ground. I hope this is the right decision!

What else are people doing this winter?


I am hoping to get a timer on it so it turns on about 5 am so when they wake up they walk out to a little bit of warmth.


Thoughts and opinions are appreciated!!!
Click to expand...

In the winter we get down into the single digits and an occasional night in the minus numbers. I think several things are important. The chickens need to be acclimated to the cold. Hopefully it has gone down over a period of time. The coop should be draft free and it should have enough ventilation so that the humidity doesn't build up and cause frost bite.
That said, some breeds seem to be more cold hardy than others which may be more heat tolerant so it helps if you stick with the sold hardy breeds.
I also give cracked corn in the evening as a treat in winter. That is supposed to help with the body heat. Not sure if it does, but they like it.
 
Just my $.02 - if you give them heat, they'll grow less down ....... then if the electricity goes out, they are going to be unprepared.

Chickens are very adaptable, but adapting takes time...... if the power goes out, they are unable to adapt that fast.
 

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