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Do I need a heat lamp tonight??

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by Quiltslikecrazy, Feb 11, 2012.

So do I need a Heat lamp

  1. Yes

    1 vote(s)
    20.0%

  2. No

    4 vote(s)
    80.0%
Most Liked Posts
  1. Feb 11, 2012 #1
    Quiltslikecrazy

    Quiltslikecrazy Out Of The Brooder

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    Jan 25, 2012
    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
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2012
  3. Feb 11, 2012 #2
    bobbi-j

    bobbi-j Chicken Obsessed

    8,181
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    Mar 15, 2010
    On the MN prairie.
    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.
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2012
  5. Feb 11, 2012 #3
    Quiltslikecrazy

    Quiltslikecrazy Out Of The Brooder

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    Jan 25, 2012
    Thanks so much!
     
  7. Feb 12, 2012 #4
    SteveBaz

    SteveBaz Chillin' With My Peeps

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG] I have enough feathers [​IMG] Best of luck
     
  9. Feb 12, 2012 #5
    Marty1876

    Marty1876 Hi Everyone!

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    Feb 5, 2012
    Port Townsend, Washington
    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.
     
  11. Feb 13, 2012 #6
    Jeffross1968

    Jeffross1968 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Smoky Mountains
    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.
     

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