I have had on the red heat lamp for about 2 1/2 weeks straight 24/7. The floor is 14 degrees, the nest boxes are 36 degrees and just under the lamp is anywhere from 28 - 38 degrees. My coop is built into the barn and this is my first winter with them. Last week it was very cold like -18 degrees at night, yes that's negative 18. We are in the process of getting a infared heater placed in the barn, we got it all hooked up yesterday and found a crack on one of the fittings so we will be delayed even longer with the heat problem. They seem to be fine, eating great, drinking about 1 gallon of water each day, the only problem I have is when I walk in with gloves on and I don't pay attention to the little burgers they jump up and snatch my glove right off my hand then run around and play keep away with me.
I would really like to turn the heat lamp off at night but I've had 5 frozen eggs in the nest boxes so I have to wait.
I've been getting 4 - 6 eggs per day but most are just starting to lay. I think I have a brand new layer cuz I got a small pinkish egg from I believe one of my Buffs. The heater light is the only light I have on all day and they have a window for the afternoon time. After the heater is in I will have to supplement with a white light cuz we will only have 3 or 4 hours of sunlight come December.
I would really like to turn the heat lamp off at night but I've had 5 frozen eggs in the nest boxes so I have to wait.
I've been getting 4 - 6 eggs per day but most are just starting to lay. I think I have a brand new layer cuz I got a small pinkish egg from I believe one of my Buffs. The heater light is the only light I have on all day and they have a window for the afternoon time. After the heater is in I will have to supplement with a white light cuz we will only have 3 or 4 hours of sunlight come December.
