Heat lamps... You got it or no?

[True Grit]

I do and this year I'm glad as I have a nearly naked hen right now. Bad timing on her part and of course she is, or was, my best layer. The light is on a thermo cube to come on at 20 degrees and go off at 30 but when it is very cold out like 15-20 below it might be 8 degrees in the coop even with the lamp on but it gives them a little radiant warmth to huddle under.

 

[goldies99]

http://www.mysnazzychickencoop.com/raising-chickens/chickens-happy-cold-weather/?utm_source=BlogGlue_network&utm_medium=BlogGlue_Plugin

good info on this link

 

[Buff Oreo]

WHY WOULD YOU NEED A HEAT LAMP IN MISSISSIPPI? that doesnt even make sense! or did you mean minnesota

 

[JohnHenry]

I add small amount of heat with a ceramic bulb that gives off no light. They sleep tight in the dark but stay somewhat warm.

 

[ambrosia]

...I wasn't going to... was assured they would be fine.... then it hit -1 and I panicked like a new mom and ran out and bought a heated dog bowl and made DH run a little wiring! I don't think they would have suffered too much, but guess what? They got a little extra warmth and I started getting more eggs! They eat no more than usual, so I'm gaining by making them happier! If I am going to have animals in my care, I would prefer they be as happy as possible. Just my two cents....

 

[kla37]

No, they're chickens, they have built in down blankets. They are healthy happy free roaming during the day girls! I do bring them warm water as soon as I let them out in the am. We are in the NC piedmont, so we don't have super rough winters.

 

[ambrosia]

Quote:
I may have to try to find one of those.... I have one chicken who has gone a little bonkers with the red light in the coop.... jumping at the walls like there is a ledge about four feet high she wants to roost on. She spends all day jumping at this imaginary "wall" and then lays her egg at the coop door! Not her only quirk, but would certainly keep her a little less, um, scrambled???

 

[kcwazzu]

Quote:
It's all relative, I used to live in Florida and anything under 70 degrees was considered cold, under 60 freezing.
I'm guessing anything south of the Mason/Dixon Line(If you don't know the reference look it up)
would rarely get cold enough that a coop warmer would be necessary.
Keith

 

[JohnHenry]

I got this one, Zoo Med ReptiCare Ceramic Infrared Heat Emitter 150 Watts. Another option is to go to an electrical supply company and get some heat trace cable and you can run it under the roost.

 

[jmagill]

What are you folks going to do when the electric goes out and you have conditioned you poultry to need heat?

Mine have already had several -10 days this year. Good food and lots of water is all they need. They have their own down quilts.