Cold weather

[Catherine Hughes]

I have a small coop and run housing a Polish rooster, 2 Polish pullets and a Silkie rooster. In another larger pen, I have 3 dark Brahma hens, 3 Naked Neck hens, 3 Cuckoo Maran hens and a Silkie rooster. We are expected to have a low temperature this weekend of -3. I am concerned about the Silkies and the Polish. Should I provide some heat source, and if so what? This is my first year of chicken keeping, so I would appreciate advice.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

If you feel like they would need it, then use it. It is never a bad thing to give them a little heat in the winter.

 

[Chick-N-Daddy]

If you feel like they would need it, then use it. It is never a bad thing to give them a little heat in the winter.

Wholeheartedly disputed (just sayin'):
https://www.pinterest.com/TheChicknChick/heat-lamp-fires/

Also, -3 F or Celsius? It makes a difference. I've 5 in a smaller-ish coop, temps down to -5F on occasion with no heat - just windproof and cozy.

 

[Catherine Hughes]

-3F. I am most worried about the Polish and the Silkies. I have read that Polish are not very hardy and the Silkies are tiny, of course.

 

[Chick-N-Daddy]

-3F. I am most worried about the Polish and the Silkies. I have read that Polish are not very hardy and the Silkies are tiny, of course.

If you gotta do something, please consider something like this rather than a lamp, plugged into one of these, of course.

I was considering making something similar using a PVC pipe wrapped in something grippy (golf club tape maybe, or a dip in DragonSkin silicone?), filled with sand, and having a few 3D printer hot-end elements strung thru it. Powered via 12v motor shield on an arduino. From there it'd be a breeze to add temp, humidity, and barometer to control power/temp and ventilation fans... of course, I tend to over-engineer stuff a smidge.