Having a few very cold nights (-10F/-30F)

[Coldd]

Greetings,

Winter is here! We are having a cold snap where daytime temps will be just above 0F and nighttime temps will be -10 and -30F.

I generally don’t heat the coop but this seems brutally cold. Can I leave a red heat lamp on all night? I have their brooder heating plate that I could let go too.

The lamp would just be for the next two days as we’re headed back to balmy 30’s soon after.

This was sparked by a disagreement with my SO about keeping them somewhat comfortable in those temps. The coop is well ventilated, and draft free. Bedding is about 4-8 inches thick. They’re pets to us both, but I feel the chickens are very hardy animals.

Thanks!

Edit: heat lamp is secured with two driven and bent nails. Same with cords. They seem to leave all that stuff alone, generally. Once I can build a covered run I’ll move the waterer outside.

 

[SueT]

Most experts don’t recommend heat in the coop. Here’s a recent thread discussing the subject …lots of encouraging examples
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-cold-is-too-cold-for-my-chickens.1557629/#post-26391102