Hi everyone, I just looked at the weather forcast and it said that tonight it would get down to the low teens with wind chill, I have 11 Hens and a Silkie rooster in the big coop 8x 4 ft. ( Plywood w/o insulation) and then a Temporary rubber maid shed that has 3 full grown silkies and 2 three month olds in it. So my question is do I need a heat lamp? Thanks, QLC
No you do not. If your birds are out of the wind, they'll be fine. I live in MN, where (in a normal winter) it can get as cold as -20's at night. No heat or insulation in my coop. It's well ventilated with vented soffits, and is draft-free. I had no problems with my chickens last winter when it actually got cold. I'll admit they've had an easy time this year. Last night was -11, but that's the coldest we've been so far.
If there is wind protection, any fully feathered fowl will be o.k. I would think your 2-3 month olds would be sufficiently feathered, but if there is any wind, block it, even with a blanket. Heater optional.
We've got a bunch of birds in the same size coop as you, plywood, no insulation. We've had some nights around 10 degrees, no problems. I read it has to go a bunch below zero for chickens to have any problems. Just make sure there isn't a bad wind hitting them. I have 7 week olds outside in that temp, in a small coop that do fine at those temps.
