Central Alabama winter advice

[Crickets_Chicks]

I’m new to this. I have 4 girls that I got back in March from TSC. This will be our first winter. I’m not sure if chickens acclimate to the weather or if you need to add heat in the coop. The coop I have is the Bungalow coop from TSC. We put a tarp over the coop area last weekend in hopes that it will help keep rain and cold wind at a minimum for the winter. We installed a radiant heat bulb in the coop. At what outdoor temperature do you use heat in the coop? We have it set up to turn on for 15 minutes then off for 30 minutes and alternating thru the night. Is that too much, not enough? I want to make sure my babies aren’t going to freeze. Thank you in advance for your info.

 

[jbj25]

You will not need any heat. Just make sure you have good ventilation that doesn't blow directly on the roost.

In Alabama heat is your main concern.

Edit: The way I worded that it could come across the wrong way. I mean cold should not be a concern for you. Your birds being too hot in the summer is way more of a concern than them being cold at anytime in Alabama.

 

[StinkyAcres]

No heat needed. Chickens have built-in down jackets. All you need to do is make sure those down jackets don't get wet or ruffled. Most chicken breeds will need heat at around -20°F.

 

[nuthatched]

Remove all heat, they don't need it unless it gets well below zero.
Heaters and bulbs are huge fire risks and will cause more harm than good even without chicken flambe

 

[Crickets_Chicks]

Thank you all for your sage advice! I feel better knowing my babies won’t freeze.

 

[RoseHawke]

It will be fine. Even the very occasional single digits we get will be fine. The thing is, it seldom stays below freezing here - 20's at night sometimes, with highs in the 40's or 50's the next day is about as bad as it gets.

 

[Crickets_Chicks]

It will be fine. Even the very occasional single digits we get will be fine. The thing is, it seldom stays below freezing here - 20's at night sometimes, with highs in the 40's or 50's the next day is about as bad as it gets.

Thank you!