Heat lamp vs Heating Pad

[Frosty]

That being said, I now live in North Dakota, where we go into the negatives in the winter, for weeks at a time. So, I just installed a Comfort Cozy radiant wall heater... it doesn't operate on the floor, has a zero clearance back, even though I have it on a frame that keeps it several inches away from the coop wall, so it is above the level of the chickens' access. It is plugged into a ThermoCube tap, that doesn't allow it to activate until it goes below 45F.

What part of NoDak are you in? I'm a little ways out of Minot. I wanted to ask about your set up... Is Comfort Cozy the same as Cozy Coop? How warm does it keep it when it's really cold? I usually don't heat the coop but this year I have some young peafowl and one is pretty small so I was thinking of giving them something to warm things up a little. The coldest I have seen on my thermometer in the 30 years I have been here is -38F (don't think it was windy at the time, but still pretty chilly!)

 

[diegodog1]

This year we are trying out the Cozy Coop.
https://www.cozyproducts.com/products/cozy-coop

I have heard good things about it’s safety, uses less wattage, and the birds can warm when they want.

We have the cozy coop heater. Works wonderfully and no fear of anything catching alight what so ever. Some of our days are -30. If you buy the cozy coop heater don’t forget to also buy a thermostat adapter plug. The heater won’t come on unless the temperature dips to a certain temperature, that way it won’t come on when it’s not needed. This is what I like about it because chickens put off a lot of heat and moisture when they are at roost. The last thing you need is over heated chicken in the cold of winter. Frost bite and respiratory problems will follow. Just my opinion but we have been raising chickens for a while. Cheers and hope it helps.

 

[speedy2020]

With winter coming, this weekend we dusted off the heat lamp and checked the wiring to make sure it was ready to go when chilly nights arrive here in the Bay Area of California. Now I know it cannot possibly compare to the 'real' winter many chicken lovers on this forum have, that being said, what with Chelsy deciding to go into full molting she is gonna get chilly in the house with her bff without some heat source. Every winter I worry about the safety re the combination of straw and heat lamp even though the lamp is a good 4+ feet over the straw bedding I still get worried. Is a heating pad a better idea? and if so, what about the possibility of scratching and pecking at the pad? Or do you think the heat lamp is fine? I have two roosting bars so they can either get close to the lamp or scootch away from it.

No heat source need. If you are concern, give them high protein feed or add hot chili pepper to their food and water late in the afternoon. That will keep them warm enough.

 

[Double Yolked]

I'm west of Portland Oregon in the Trask range, I never use supplemental heat and I get substantially colder here than the Bay Area. Our fire chief here tells us that heat lamps are the number one cause of barn and outbuilding fires. That's a lousy way to roast a chicken.
Just do a bit of draft blocking and heat loss prevention and let your birds adapt to the changing weather. They are good at it.

 

[aCoolChick]

Having lived in the Bay Area for most of my adult life, I definitely agree with those above. YOU DO NOT NEED HEAT! Not unless you live, say, at 13,000 ft in the Sierra. Please!! Avoid a heater, you do not need it, your chickens do not need it, and it is definitely a fire hazard!

 

[David of Hawaii]

In some countries like Switzerland they use the downstairs as a barn in the winter and have the living quarters upstairs. The heat from the animals keep each other warm as well as heating the upper level reducing the need for firewood.
Can't say much for the smell.

 

[chickiechickiebawkbawk]

Bawk bawk! (lengthy reply) I live in Northern Vermont and own breeds that are winter hardy. I got my chickens on St Patrick's day so this will be my first full winter owning them in sub zero Jan/Feb. Everyone tells me not to heat the coop!
I use artificial lighting for egg production in the winter but it isn't a fire risk. I used a ceramic bulb on my baby chicks in the summer and that was much safer than a heat lamp.
If there is a power outage the chickens won't freeze since they have already adapted to living without heat. Makes sense.
Conclusion is full grown birds don't need heat. Feathers keep them warm and they huddle together when it is cold. They have down jackets!

HOWEVER It is important for them to cover their feet to prevent frostbite. They prefer rounded off 2x4s laying the flat way as opposed to a skinny clothes hanging dowel. I gave them the option of 3" wide oak branches too but they maneuver and jump between roosts better on the two by fours, especially in the dark when they don't see well.

I put Suntec panels, a clear plastic siding material like tin roofing but flimsy and see through, on the side of one of my coops. This allows the afternoon sun to warm up the coop naturally and they love the light and being able to see out. I am trying the deep litter method, which also provides some heat.
Ventilation is key so I have been installing extra vents for winter. I can always cover the vents if it's -15. I think the tendency is to close up the coop too much, which would lead to respiratory issues. Keeping it dry and ventilated with fresh shavings on top will keep condensation down, and prevent frostbite.
I'm just collecting information and preparing for winter myself. I hope this expanded reply is helpful. Good luck!

 

[Foxinthehenhouse]

They have thick feather and down coats on! They don’t need heat!
I have a friend here in the mountains where I live that some of her chickens roost in trees thru rain and snow all winter even though they have a nice coop.

 

[Foxinthehenhouse]

Bawk bawk! (lengthy reply) I live in Northern Vermont and own breeds that are winter hardy. I got my chickens on St Patrick's day so this will be my first full winter owning them in sub zero Jan/Feb. Everyone tells me not to heat the coop!
I use artificial lighting for egg production in the winter but it isn't a fire risk. I used a ceramic bulb on my baby chicks in the summer and that was much safer than a heat lamp.
If there is a power outage the chickens won't freeze since they have already adapted to living without heat. Makes sense.
Conclusion is full grown birds don't need heat. Feathers keep them warm and they huddle together when it is cold. They have down jackets!

HOWEVER It is important for them to cover their feet to prevent frostbite. They prefer rounded off 2x4s laying the flat way as opposed to a skinny clothes hanging dowel. I gave them the option of 3" wide oak branches too but they maneuver and jump between roosts better on the two by fours, especially in the dark when they don't see well.

I put Suntec panels, a clear plastic siding material like tin roofing but flimsy and see through, on the side of one of my coops. This allows the afternoon sun to warm up the coop naturally and they love the light and being able to see out. I am trying the deep litter method, which also provides some heat.
Ventilation is key so I have been installing extra vents for winter. I can always cover the vents if it's -15. I think the tendency is to close up the coop too much, which would lead to respiratory issues. Keeping it dry and ventilated with fresh shavings on top will keep condensation down, and prevent frostbite.
I'm just collecting information and preparing for winter myself. I hope this expanded reply is helpful. Good luck!

Do your chickens have a run? My chickens never go back in the coop till dusk except to lay eggs.

 

[Unsworth]

I have chickens in Michigan where everybody knows it can get really cold. Lowest I have seen it at my place is minus 18 F. I use heat lamps but I suspend them from chains and hooked from the ceiling. They CAN NOT fall down even if the chickens were to bump into them. I have a walk in chicken house with a plywood ceiling. Their combs can get frost bite and sometimes it is just miserably cold. That being said I consider heat lamps when it gets down to zero. I lived in the mountains of California for years with chickens and never used heat lamps.