Heater or heat panel -10

[Ted Brown]

Georgian Bay Area, near Barrie - snowbelt heaven.

...

Pshaw, it is +2C there now. I am around -5°C with light snow and wind chill making it feel like -12°C.

 

[NatJ]

There are mentions here about some breeds being better acclimated to cold weather. We have eight Cream Legbar hens, no rooster, all born Feb 25, 2025. They have been laying nicely, but winter is now upon us.

Does anyone have data on how the Cream Legbars handle cold? We routinely go down into the 30's, sometimes below freezing, but in the past seven years I've been here we have not had frequent extremes like 10 or 20 below. I think we had a minus 10 for a couple of days two years ago but we didn't have the chickens then.

Thanks for any suggestions!

At a rough guess, Cream Legbars are probably in the middle of chicken breeds as regards cold tolerance.

Cream Legbars would not have the small combs/wattles and extra-thick feathers that help some breeds handle cold weather. They don't have extra-large bodies either.

On the other hand, they do not have extra-tiny bodies, or frizzle feathers, or such sparse feathering that bare skin sticks out (I'm thinking of Seramas, Frizzles, and some chickens that I think may have been oriental-type games that I've seen in pictures with really tight/sparse feathering.)

I would not really expect them to have problems at those temperatures, but your best bet is to watch the behavior of your specific chickens, as several other people have also said.

 

[Rangergord]

I am in on insulation and heat for my particular situation. I think I understand why people hesitate to recommend heat. You also can’t really just consider temperature, humidity is always part of the equation.
For example, near 32F 0C in high humidity environments, it will feel as if it is freezing, even if it isn’t actually freezing. It is not the best idea to add heat at this point because warmer air holds even more humidity and we know that humidity and free ammonia from the manure is a threat to poultry health. If a room is at room temperature but has low humidity, it may still feel cool to us even if it’s 72 F.

I just bought a panel chicken heater because it was safer than a brooder lamp. Mine is 180 watts and has a surface temperature of 55-75C, less than the temperature of boiling water. Radiates heat from both sides of the panel and I mounted it between the roosting bars. All 8 of my hens can get near it but not touching and they definitely appreciate it. My coop has a 10C difference between inside and outside temperatures with it on. I only use it at -15 C to -20 C and colder. I see no increase in humidity on the hygrometer because any moisture in the air quickly freezes at those temperatures. As long as I don’t use the heaters at -10 C or warmer, the coop never reaches ice melting temperature and so humidity does not rise from low.

The heater adds the warmth of 18 chickens to my coop. I definitely don’t have room for that many birds but the extra heat keeps temperatures high enough that my birds stop whining. Yes they.whine below -15 C. It is not just cold at night and then bouncing back up during the day. That’s not a problem. When it is a problem, the temperature falls there and stays there for weeks even months at a time, with no sun in the windows to even cheer things up. The heater changes everything. I just hope the heater lasts long enough to justify its price tag.

 

[dirkandlorie]

I too use a heater in my coop. It is an oil filled radiating heater hanging in the middle of the coop, not designed for chickens, but works very safely. It sits on a concrete block and is suspended from the ceiling also to prevent tip overs. It is not intended to heat the whole coop, it can't and won't. It is intended to give them a place to come and warm up when needed. My temperatures don't go as cold as many of yours, but still I find my chickens on the low perches I placed around that heater on cold days. A few have chosen to sleep there on occasion. I do not have electricity in my coop, I run an 100 foot outdoor extension cord to the coop for the heater. I can reach right outside my front door and plug it in when temps drop to freezing and unplug just as easily when temps rise again. Our temps swing wildly so this was important to me. ( we had 11 degrees 4 days ago and its 60 degrees now) Cost of this heater is 50 dollars, longevity 3 years, have not noticed any jump in my electric bill so can't factor that in, but peace of mind is priceless. The way I see it, if I can offer something so inexpensive and safe to keep them more comfortable and free of frostbite, why wouldn't I? It's also a wonderful place to warm my freezing fingers when tending the chickens on those bitterly cold days. : )

 

[IowaCHKN]

This is my setup right now. Thought if I put a panel in it would be under the middle vent window. Thought low enough heat would rise under them. That way they can move away from it left or right i was thinking. They usually roost to the left in corner on the short side.

 

[Ted Brown]

@IowaCHKN

Wow! Chicken PALACE! That is some sweet setup.

 

[Ponypoor]

Pshaw, it is +2C there now. I am around -5°C with light snow and wind chill making it feel like -12°C.

Yep the temps popped up so fast! Then plummeted, rollercoaster ride here so far this season.

I am in on insulation and heat for my particular situation. I think I understand why people hesitate to recommend heat. You also can’t really just consider temperature, humidity is always part of the equation.
For example, near 32F 0C in high humidity environments, it will feel as if it is freezing, even if it isn’t actually freezing. It is not the best idea to add heat at this point because warmer air holds even more humidity and we know that humidity and free ammonia from the manure is a threat to poultry health. If a room is at room temperature but has low humidity, it may still feel cool to us even if it’s 72 F.

I just bought a panel chicken heater because it was safer than a brooder lamp. Mine is 180 watts and has a surface temperature of 55-75C, less than the temperature of boiling water. Radiates heat from both sides of the panel and I mounted it between the roosting bars. All 8 of my hens can get near it but not touching and they definitely appreciate it. My coop has a 10C difference between inside and outside temperatures with it on. I only use it at -15 C to -20 C and colder. I see no increase in humidity on the hygrometer because any moisture in the air quickly freezes at those temperatures. As long as I don’t use the heaters at -10 C or warmer, the coop never reaches ice melting temperature and so humidity does not rise from low.

The heater adds the warmth of 18 chickens to my coop. I definitely don’t have room for that many birds but the extra heat keeps temperatures high enough that my birds stop whining. Yes they.whine below -15 C. It is not just cold at night and then bouncing back up during the day. That’s not a problem. When it is a problem, the temperature falls there and stays there for weeks even months at a time, with no sun in the windows to even cheer things up. The heater changes everything. I just hope the heater lasts long enough to justify its price tag.

Yes the dreary long dark days add to the misery.

Re: IR panels - I bought a couple from Ma Poule that are great and prices didn't break the bank.

https://www.amazon.ca/Ma-Poule-Expr...5707285459-B0BJQCY114-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

I put one in each section of the Hen House and it helps to keep the temps at night steady. I also have a bunch moulting and they huddle by the panels at night.

 

[Ponypoor]

This is my setup right now. Thought if I put a panel in it would be under the middle vent window. Thought low enough heat would rise under them. That way they can move away from it left or right i was thinking. They usually roost to the left in corner on the short side.

Lovely wee coop - good job, it's very delightful.

A couple of those small IR heater panels on either side will keep things comfortable for your chooks and not break the bank on energy costs and purchasing them. One doesn't want to keep it too warm inside, esp if they are allowed outside during the day at any point - to drastic a temp change is not good.

 

[Ponypoor]

At a rough guess, Cream Legbars are probably in the middle of chicken breeds as regards cold tolerance.

Cream Legbars would not have the small combs/wattles and extra-thick feathers that help some breeds handle cold weather. They don't have extra-large bodies either.

On the other hand, they do not have extra-tiny bodies, or frizzle feathers, or such sparse feathering that bare skin sticks out (I'm thinking of Seramas, Frizzles, and some chickens that I think may have been oriental-type games that I've seen in pictures with really tight/sparse feathering.)

I would not really expect them to have problems at those temperature, but your best bet is to watch the behavior of your specific chickens, as several other people have also said.

My poor wee OEGB Bantam suffers in the cold, she spend the night time in the feedroom which is a steady 10C (50F). During the day she hangs out under the Sweeter Heater with the Silkie princesses.

FYI - those heaters are also good for us Hoomans with warming up hands and feet - when the princesses allow me of course

 

[Rangergord]

Yep the temps popped up so fast! Then plummeted, rollercoaster ride here so far this season.



Yes the dreary long dark days add to the misery.

Re: IR panels - I bought a couple from Ma Poule that are great and prices didn't break the bank.

https://www.amazon.ca/Ma-Poule-Expr...5707285459-B0BJQCY114-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

I put one in each section of the Hen House and it helps to keep the temps at night steady. I also have a bunch moulting and they huddle by the panels at night.

That Ma Poule supplier is pretty good. They have some nice roll away nest boxes too. I paid about $100 CAD with shipping and tax but it’s still a lot more than a brood lamp.