Getting cold

[digger455]

It is going to get in the teens tonight, So when do you start putting heat in the coop? I got a heat lamp that I was thinking about putting out there. Got 13 RIR, 2 silkies and 2 EE. The last 4 are in a small coop by there selfs. I got the RIR in April and hatched eggs in Aug. for the last 4. By the way getting 11 eggs a day from 11 hens.

By the way I put 100 watt bulb on timer about 3 weeks ago. They are doing great on the laying, I go out at 8 and they have them waiting for me. We had a snow storm last weekend and power went out. Guess what I found out yesterday?? I forgot to plug timer in. after power went out.

 

[sheetmetalpete]

They don't need heat if they're fully feathered out. They only need a dry coop with access to food & water. About all you really need is a font heater to keep your waterer from freezing.

 

[grandmas Nest]

This will be my first winter with chickens, but everything I have read SAYS NO HEAT even the people in Alaska that have colder winters. Birds have feathers for warmth, and if you add heat they don't acclumate (sp) to the outdoor weather, so when there is a power outage they aren't prepared for it. Just keep there water unfroze. Yesturday I read several great post on coop heat here but don't know how to add links here for them. Maybe someone elst will link to them.