Heat lamp

[nana h]

We have our new hens in a pretty sturdy plywood coop. Mostly enclosed, with some ventilation at the top of the sides. Small enough they stick close together. It's supposed to get down to the high twenties tonight, should I use a heat lamp or would it make it uncomfortably warm for them? They're all under a year, but old enough to lay.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Chickens are wearing down coats, and don't need extra heat!
Seramas and maybe Silkies are exceptions, but 'normal' birds will be fine in a dry well ventilated space, with a roof and shelter from wind and rain/ snow. Mary

 

[PirateGirl]

my girls were fine last night in the single digits, they are about 7 months old and there are only 5 of them, their coop is not insulated and mostly plywood as well, your chickens should be fine

 

[CHlCK3N]

Welcome to BYC!

The chickens should be fine without the heater! If you see shivering, sneezing, or any other kind of hints, they probably need a heater. You should do some research on it!

 

[nana h]

Welcome! Chickens are wearing down coats, and don't need extra heat!
Seramas and maybe Silkies are exceptions, but 'normal' birds will be fine in a dry well ventilated space, with a roof and shelter from wind and rain/ snow. Mary

Thanks. I know when I kept them before we had some bitter cold winters and they were fine in a much poorer enclosure. Wasn't sure though,as I believe I had a lot of beginners luck with that first flock 25 years ago.

 

[cavemanrich]

Hi, and welcome.
Your chickens do not need heat added, unless you have seramas, or other non cold hardy breed. Most important is ventilation. Post some pix of your setup. For ventilation info, you can read some threads on the subject. Go to learning center and look there, or you can co to @aart profile page where there is a good link to VENTILATION.
WISHING YOU BEST......

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

No need for heat lamp...as long as they are dry with plenty of ventilation they'l be fine

Article in my signature is pretty good....
but this thread may be more helpful:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

 

[nana h]

It wasn't finished yet here, but does show what is open to provide ventilation. At the front the open part is 2 feet, decreasing for the six foot length of the coop, to almost nothing at the back. Their perch is about 18 inches off the floor.

 

[cavemanrich]

Your ventilation does look sufficient. Thanks for the pix. My other concern is predator proofing . Chicken wire is not your best choice. I'm sure others will chime in with same ideas. I know you are doing the BEST YOU CAN at this time. We are here to provide good advice. Do what you can when you can.....

 

[nana h]

Yup, my daughter informs me that when the weather warms up we'll be needing to go to hardware cloth to keep snakes out. I know we had them back in East Texas, that I didn't lose chickens or eggs to them is that beginners luck I spoke of, lol.