Coop heat

[Gary palmer]

What's the best way to heat my coop in the winter? I live in central Florida. This is my first flock. I had a heat bulb in there but it emits a lot of light and throws the girls off when it comes to getting in and going to sleep. Now i have a ceramic heat bulb that emits no light. Is it enough heat?

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

You do not need heat in your coop unless you are brooding chicks, then a heat plate will be fine for a few weeks.

Gary

 

[blackdog043]

You don't need any additional heat in Florida, unless you have chicks under 5 weeks.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I do not heat even in sub zero temp.

Your way down south so definitely do not need heat for birds over a few weeks old.

Those red bulbs are designed for brooding young chicks. Large chicks and adult birds can knock them around causing fires.

 

[nealj]

I live in ontario Canada and do not heat my Coop. Just have a coop that i insulated and well ventilated, and i use the deep litter method. The chickens stay nice and cozy and happy through it. You should be fine in Florida.

Good luck!!

 

[Folly's place]

Good ventilation is most important, not heat! After your birds are fully feathered, don't think that they need extra heat! Mine have heated bases for the waterers to keep it unfrozen, and no extra heat. Mary

 

[Hokum Coco]

heat my coop in the winter central Florida?

My method for dealing with winter is quite simple one extra feeder of whole corn. I live in Canada subject to -40º. I have 67 trips around the sun. I have raised various types of chickens and birds for decades.

TLC still has to be provided to birds that may not be adapting well to the diet. For the most part birds are vocal happy and do just fine. NO HEAT NO EXTRA LIGHT please and thank you works fine for me and my flock.

If for any reason you find it necessary to supply electricity to your coop via extension cord.

Please employ a "Ground Fault Outlet" also use a "Safety Chain" in conjunction to any heat lamp or incandescent bulb after mounting.
One coop fire is too many and these precautions could be the difference.

A simple action such as a rodent chewing on your extension cord could be the cause of a coop fire and a ground fault circuit could be the difference in witnessing your coop in tack or a pile of smoldering ash.

P.S. There are now a variety of ground fault extension cords available in major retail centers that also would be a wise investment.

 

[N F C]

Until last May I lived in central FL and had a flock. It can get cold there and with the humidity, it can really feel cold. Even so, I never heated my coop and the chickens were fine.

Now I'm in WY with a flock and don't heat here either (I do have a heated waterer though). The birds are doing fine, even if some days they want to spend more time in the coop than outside.

 

[aart]

It can get cold there and with the humidity, it can really feel cold.

But you'd have felt fine in a feather jacket

 

[N F C]

But you'd have felt fine in a feather jacket

Yep! Unfortunately only the chickens had those, I was swaddled in knits and denim.

Having lived in damp, humid Florida and windy, dry Wyoming...there are differences in how cold feels at the same temp. Here in WY it can be 35* and if the wind isn't knocking you over, it feels fine. In FL 35* is bone chilling.