Do they need heat? PICS ADDED!

[walkswithdog]

Wattage is hard to judge because we can't see the environment or how they react. Use what you have. Watch them. If they huddle into the light and roam the shelter very little they're too cool. If they never go into the light center, it's too warm. Fiddle with it. They need to be warm to reduce stress and digest well. They'll show you exactly what you need to do, you want them where they're happiest in the most space in the shelter. Then you have it right. Then decrease it every week or ten days to get them acclimated. I always leave a light - red 120 watt bulb, low in a coop with young birds over winter - in case when I am not there a young bird gets cold or wet, or something happens and they need the heat. I rarely lose one in winter with that set up.

 

[hinkjc]

I am currently using a 250 watt bulb (raised about 2-3 feet above floor) for "feathered" babies in an enclosed coop. We are having similar temps to you, so you might consider something higher wattage. Most of the day, they are running around, eating and happy. But at night, they are piled under it quite nicely for a little extra warmth. It does not throw much heat in 35-40 degrees, but enough to take the chill off for them.

Over the next few weeks, I will gradually raise it or replace it with a 100 watt spotlight bulb until I feel they're ok without it.