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No, you are correct. Chickens can do quite well down into single digits without problems. A wide roost (so they can cover their feet completely with their bodies when roosting) and a coop without drafts is much more important than a warming light. In fact warming lights come with their own problems... One danger is fire from a fallen light fixture and the other problem is when the electricity goes out when the chooks are used to a very warm coop. The sudden change is much worse for them.
Also too few chickens in a large coop makes it hard for them to keep the space warm enough with their own bodies. A light on at sundown can also confuse them, since a lack of daylight is what triggers them to head in for the night and roost.
If you can't resist using a lamp (I have to admit I'm one of those that can't resist), set it on an automatic timer and have it come on at 4 in the morning and turn off again at 8 am. Then you've got the coldest part of the night covered (coldest time of day is about 20 minutes after sunrise). The benefits of added light is that you will still get eggs during the short winter days.
Yes I know some folks will be angry with me for this last comment. They are sure that chickens need that rest during winter and a lack of winter rest is bad for them but on or near the equator chickens do quite well on their own and never have a winter rest. I figure a few hours light is not going to do much harm and I just can't bring myself to buy store bought eggs. Besides then I would be encouraging the horrendous treatment that large chicken farms practice on their poor chickens.
No, you are correct. Chickens can do quite well down into single digits without problems. A wide roost (so they can cover their feet completely with their bodies when roosting) and a coop without drafts is much more important than a warming light. In fact warming lights come with their own problems... One danger is fire from a fallen light fixture and the other problem is when the electricity goes out when the chooks are used to a very warm coop. The sudden change is much worse for them.
Also too few chickens in a large coop makes it hard for them to keep the space warm enough with their own bodies. A light on at sundown can also confuse them, since a lack of daylight is what triggers them to head in for the night and roost.
If you can't resist using a lamp (I have to admit I'm one of those that can't resist), set it on an automatic timer and have it come on at 4 in the morning and turn off again at 8 am. Then you've got the coldest part of the night covered (coldest time of day is about 20 minutes after sunrise). The benefits of added light is that you will still get eggs during the short winter days.
Yes I know some folks will be angry with me for this last comment. They are sure that chickens need that rest during winter and a lack of winter rest is bad for them but on or near the equator chickens do quite well on their own and never have a winter rest. I figure a few hours light is not going to do much harm and I just can't bring myself to buy store bought eggs. Besides then I would be encouraging the horrendous treatment that large chicken farms practice on their poor chickens.
