Heat Lamp??

[animalluv0512]

Hello BYC! I'm new here so I am hoping I have posted this question in the correct place.. If I haven't sorry! So my question is I have 2 Silver Wyandotte hens. Here in TN it is suppose to get in the single digits and stay very cold for a while. I have been putting them in my garage in an old dog crate, they have plenty of room. However, I think they would be colder, but yet happier outside. The inside living quarters isn't that large so I want to make sure I have the correct heat source so I don't end up with fried chicken. The inside is about 35 in. W x 27 in. D x 27 in. H seeing that you can know it is not very big. I just want to know how to correctly heat them to where they will be comfortable and I did not know where else to go other than here! I am very sorry for rambling I hope yall can help me!

 

[donrae]

Don't heat it at all. The birds' own body heat will make that small space nice and cozy. I understand the single digits seem quite low to you, but cruise around and you'll see posts of birds doing fine in sub zero temps. You'll also see stories of coop fires from heating lamps.
Go out some night when your birds are on the roots. Work your hand between them, down next to the skin. You'll be amazed how warm their bodies actually are!

 

[bobbi-j]

Don't heat it at all. The birds' own body heat will make that small space nice and cozy. I understand the single digits seem quite low to you, but cruise around and you'll see posts of birds doing fine in sub zero temps. You'll also see stories of coop fires from heating lamps.
Go out some night when your birds are on the roots. Work your hand between them, down next to the skin. You'll be amazed how warm their bodies actually are!

x2

 

[animalluv0512]

Thanks for yalls help! i have heard the same thing I just felt so bad for them!

 

[RonP]

We all tend to humanize our birds at times.

You have to remember that they are much better prepared for colder temperatures than we are.

Dry is so much more important than warm for cold hardy, fully feathered, healthy birds.