My heat lamps are in ceramic fixtures made for hotter bulbs and they hang from the ceiling so they aren't touching anything. I have used them for many years but you do have to really be careful that they're set up right.
I'm glad you have some survivors, those may be a little more hardy so in a sad way you have done some selection there for birds that can tolerate the cold better. You might consider insulating your building and setting it up where you can close it up if needed. Springfield (MO) passed a law allowing chickens in the city limits so there has been a huge increase in the coops for sale on craigslist here. Most are pretty nice but they're not insulated or have the ability to close them up tight when needed. The whole front of the sheds are open with wire, they may have a door with the little yard attached but there is no way to make them ready for a harsh winter except maybe to add some plastic on the front. I was already seeing these nice people selling out this fall when the weather got cold. I'm guessing many of these new poultry owners were not prepared to care for their chickens in the winter. Keeping water from freezing, few or no eggs in the winter but still having to feed them, having to go out in bad weather to take care of them, all these things are past what some people probably expected when they took on their first chickens.
If they're well insulated, it not only helps with winter, but the summer heat is better deflected (as long as there is good ventilation). Even without insulation added, most small buildings are easy to at least keep above freezing with a heat bulb if there aren't drafts. Mine isn't insulated but it's holding above freezing even with 0 degree temps and wind. We're expecting freezing rain tomorrow. I leave my door open to their covered yard on days that it's above freezing but they're closed up at night and even my 3 month old chicks are doing fine.
I'm glad you have some survivors, those may be a little more hardy so in a sad way you have done some selection there for birds that can tolerate the cold better. You might consider insulating your building and setting it up where you can close it up if needed. Springfield (MO) passed a law allowing chickens in the city limits so there has been a huge increase in the coops for sale on craigslist here. Most are pretty nice but they're not insulated or have the ability to close them up tight when needed. The whole front of the sheds are open with wire, they may have a door with the little yard attached but there is no way to make them ready for a harsh winter except maybe to add some plastic on the front. I was already seeing these nice people selling out this fall when the weather got cold. I'm guessing many of these new poultry owners were not prepared to care for their chickens in the winter. Keeping water from freezing, few or no eggs in the winter but still having to feed them, having to go out in bad weather to take care of them, all these things are past what some people probably expected when they took on their first chickens.
If they're well insulated, it not only helps with winter, but the summer heat is better deflected (as long as there is good ventilation). Even without insulation added, most small buildings are easy to at least keep above freezing with a heat bulb if there aren't drafts. Mine isn't insulated but it's holding above freezing even with 0 degree temps and wind. We're expecting freezing rain tomorrow. I leave my door open to their covered yard on days that it's above freezing but they're closed up at night and even my 3 month old chicks are doing fine.
