Frost Bite on tips of comb

[Engine823]

Well I couldn't stand it. I found a 75 watt bulb, which was a challenge on my mostly off grid mini farm. I couldn't find anything stronger. I put it about two feet above them in the heat lamp reflector. I can feel some heat from it with my hand down at their level so they surely can feel it.
They seem awake now that I put a light over them but they are staying under it.
0 degrees and still dropping. Hope they will fall back asleep soon even with the light

 

[Engine823]

I don't use heat unless it get's below -40F and I have a 6x8 coop with 5 adults.
They do fine.
It's all about your flock and what they can withstand. Experience and trial and error are the best teachers.

Thanks, this is the most extreme temps they have ever experienced. I'm sure they will be fine but doesn't stop poppa from worry. They are my babies not farm animals. I pamper all my animals on my place

 

[Welshies]

Thanks, this is the most extreme temps they have ever experienced. I'm sure they will be fine but doesn't stop poppa from worry. They are my babies not farm animals. I pamper all my animals on my place

Mine are my babies too

 

[Hamiam]

Thanks, this is the most extreme temps they have ever experienced. I'm sure they will be fine but doesn't stop poppa from worry. They are my babies not farm animals. I pamper all my animals on my place

Where do you live? (If you add it to your profile, it will show under your avatar. Then nosey people like me won't keep asking)

 

[Engine823]

Mine are my babies too

I worry too that the exterior of the coop only being a tarp and plastic may not be enough?? What do you think?
It's a hoop coop. treated 2x4 base with cattle panels to form the arc with tarp covering and plastic on the ends

 

[Welshies]

I worry too that the exterior of the coop only being a tarp and plastic may not be enough?? What do you think?
It's a hoop coop. treated 2x4 base with cattle panels to form the arc with tarp covering and plastic on the ends

Ah, that might contribute.
My coop is double walled insulation with house quality fiberglass insulation LOL.... pretty sturdy for cold temps...
Personally, my advice to you without seeing your flock would be to watch them... if they are huddled up and not moving much even during the day I'd give heat... if they are active during the day I'd avoid using heat.

 

[Engine823]

Ah, that might contribute.
My coop is double walled insulation with house quality fiberglass insulation LOL.... pretty sturdy for cold temps...
Personally, my advice to you without seeing your flock would be to watch them... if they are huddled up and not moving much even during the day I'd give heat... if they are active during the day I'd avoid using heat.

Oh they are fine during the day. It actually warms up decent once the day light comes up. They scratch around and have a grand time in their coop. Its the night temps I worry about.
Yeah they don't have a coop like that. They have a chicken tractor for spring, summer and fall and this hoop coop for the winter. It has been fine the last couple of years but this year is extreme

 

[Welshies]

Oh they are fine during the day. It actually warms up decent once the day light comes up. They scratch around and have a grand time in their coop. Its the night temps I worry about.
Yeah they don't have a coop like that. They have a chicken tractor for spring, summer and fall and this hoop coop for the winter. It has been fine the last couple of years but this year is extreme

This year is extreme, I agree.
Personally I would avoid heat simply because it causes a dependency.
It's up to you of course.
At night it is natural for them to be fluffed up and not move around much.

 

[Engine823]

Ah, that might contribute.
My coop is double walled insulation with house quality fiberglass insulation LOL.... pretty sturdy for cold temps...
Personally, my advice to you without seeing your flock would be to watch them... if they are huddled up and not moving much even during the day I'd give heat... if they are active during the day I'd avoid using heat.

Our temps in Kentucky usually range around 20's in the winter not 0, Crazy weather here. Supposed to be 50 this weekend

 

[Welshies]

Our temps in Kentucky usually range around 20's in the winter not 0, Crazy weather here. Supposed to be 50 this weekend

Lucky. We get on average -4F (-20C), down to -40F. Our low this year was -52F.