At what temp do you add a heat lamp???

[airmechreed]

Fred's Hens :

Quote:
You are merely re-asking the OP's question. There have been over a dozen responses here and hundreds and hundreds given on other threads with essentially this same question. Here's a current thread with over 82 pages of discussion. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=421122&p=1

If you want to add heat, please do so. As for how cold it should be when you do? We have Floridians here who think 40 or 50 is a desperate situation that calls for extreme measures.

I live in Northern Michigan. No sense asking me, because most folks don't want to hear what guy who keeps chickens in the far north thinks.

Most folks just want someone to agree to a position they already hold as true. Human nature. I'd heat my barn if someone else will pick up the tab. Shoot, I could move a TV and Lazy Boy recliner out there for the New Year's Day football games.

(all of the above said mostly in jest. No harm intended).

That was the point....people were just replying that they either heated the coup or didn't and no one really responded with a number so I brought it up again. I will look at the links you provided and read them. I am in Colorado and it is a fact that Chickens have been around longer than electricity and heat lamps. lol So I am sure most chickens will do fine and I think people are just trying to avoid any problems that come with the cold, either frostbite, frozen eggs or whatever. I was just pointing out the fact that the question asked was at what Temp in your opinon would you add heat......NOT weather you added heat or not. ( no harm taken)​

 

[mstricer]

Okay I will admit, since not to many have. I added heats lamp to all my coops last year,

one isn't insulated. This year however I am not. I've been reading many things about this. I have chicks out there now and they are in a dog kennel at night with a heat lamp. But I plan on weaning them off it off it, over the next couple days as we will be getting sunshine and temps in the upper 60's during the day and 40's at night. I do however have a momma hen with a six week old baby she still has up in a nesting box with her at night and don't know how to break her of it. Any suggestions? So how about my little Porcelain Duccles they should be alright with out a heat lamp and no insulation, right. They already spend most of the day in their coop (probably due to the near hawk attack) But we gave them a covered run and nothing can get them. There is 5 of them in it. Let me tell, you my electric bill went to 500$ a month running 3- 250 watt bulbs and heated waterers. That was the main reason for not doing it this year. Plus I have never lost a bird to the cold, but lost 6 in the heat this year. (That was the BF's fault, caught two coons and forgot to let the poor girls out,

while I was away). I'm converting to the no heat thing, you all have made me a believer that it is unnecessary. Heck I haven't even turned on our heat even though it has been pretty chilly here lately, all I have to say is wear more clothing they don't like that, and people a work look at me like I'm crazy.

 

[wyododge]

Quote:
You are merely re-asking the OP's question. There have been over a dozen responses here and hundreds and hundreds given on other threads with essentially this same question. Here's a current thread with over 82 pages of discussion. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=421122&p=1

If you want to add heat, please do so. As for how cold it should be when you do? We have Floridians here who think 40 or 50 is a desperate situation that calls for extreme measures.

I live in Northern Michigan. No sense asking me, because most folks don't want to hear what guy who keeps chickens in the far north thinks.

Most folks just want someone to agree to a position they already hold as true. Human nature. I'd heat my barn if someone else will pick up the tab. Shoot, I could move a TV and Lazy Boy recliner out there for the New Year's Day football games.

(all of the above said mostly in jest. No harm intended).

That was the point....people were just replying that they either heated the coup or didn't and no one really responded with a number so I brought it up again. I will look at the links you provided and read them. I am in Colorado and it is a fact that Chickens have been around longer than electricity and heat lamps. lol So I am sure most chickens will do fine and I think people are just trying to avoid any problems that come with the cold, either frostbite, frozen eggs or whatever. I was just pointing out the fact that the question asked was at what Temp in your opinon would you add heat......NOT weather you added heat or not. ( no harm taken)

Your question is definitely valid, as are the responses from all others. The only thing I can say or tell is what I look for. There are wild game birds out and about that live in trees and bushes, year round. When I think it is going to be too cold, I spy one of the hundred pheasants, or other species (turkey, grouse, duck, geese, etc) walking around pecking at ice, digging for food etc. Our chickens have fresh water, ample food, great shelter free from predators. Essentially not a care in the world. Others have stated that wild birds could be dying out there and that with their limited numbers of birds they don't want to sacrifice any birds to the cold. My answer to that is, birds that are not healthy and vibrant should not be allowed within the flock anyway. IF they die, there is a reason for it, they are weak, sick, or ill prepared and should not be kept. With that said, I don't go out and shower them down with cold water in the middle of winter, or beat on them with a 2x4. We in essence provide good food, ample water, protection from predation, and let nature take it's course. If a bird passes on, it is in a better place, and no longer has the ability to take the rest of the flock down with it. God bless him/her, good bye and thank you for feeding us.

Cruel? heartless? In some eyes, but we feel that the strong MUST survive for the good of our flock, and the species in general. We in no way attempt to disregard the design that God has made, only protect it, and work within its superior design.

This however does not answer the original question.

My answer, which is my personal opinion, is that it does not get cold enough in the US to add heat to a coop, assuming you have a proper coop, provide good feed and ample water. We also feel that to add heat is really not fair to the chickens, as it is creating artificial weaknesses and barriers that they in turn have to overcome to survive. If you care to see the great lengths we have gone to give our flock every advantage possible, see our page. We have not however provided a crutch, just the tools they need. Food, water and basic shelter.

 

[P-Funk]

31.9999 degrees F

 

[mstricer]

They have feathers

 

[Miss Lydia]

Might be interested in this info. http://www.nortoncreekpress.com/fresh_air_poultry_houses.html

 

[Warrprincess688]

I dont, it desensitizes them. If your going to do a heat lamp make sure u dont let them out during the winter. The temperature shock can make them sick

 

[mstricer]

I have a vent in the ceiling and in the winter I leave their pop door open all day probably from 5am to 7 or 8pm, I also have two small circle windows in the back of the coop that have only screen on them. The big windows are closed all winter with plexi-glass and shutters if we have a terrible ice or wind storm come through, do you think that is enough ventilation. My chicks are 5 weeks and fully feathered they should be alright now with out a heat light right?

 

[7L Farm]

Fred's Hens :

Quote:
You live in Texas...how low do the winter lows get? Easy for you--not so easy for others in northern climes.

I agree it is "harder" up here in the far north. It simply is a bit more work. I gather eggs twice a day, instead of just once, to prevent having frozen eggs. The waterer needs changing out every day as well. Even though I use the simplest of systems, it still equates to something to keep an eye on. Yes, it is somewhat harder. I find cleaning coop harder as well. Don't enjoy it as much in zero weather, but needs doing. Have to plow out a path to barn too, but that's not too awful bad either.
I still believe it would be harder to deal with 109F in Texas heat, though. Much harder.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/69833_dscf2994.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/69833_dscf2951.jpg​

The heat is really hard on birds!! I'm glad summer is over.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I never do. I just consolidate the birds in the winter so they have eachothers body heat to keep them warm. Plus lots of bedding for the silkies, since they won't roost. They keep the pens pretty warm with their body heat.