Heating and lighting in my coop

[4910chickens]

What the best way to keep your coop warm? My coop is 8 x 6 foot 6 foot high insulated. I live in Northern Minnesota so winters get -30 to -50 hear in Embarrass. Also have heard red colored light work good for lighting. Thanks

 

[CluckerFamily]

I’m in Central Wisconsin. I didn’t use a heat lamp at all last winter but I do have one installed so that I can quickly plug it in for the below -30 degree weeks.
I don’t turn on any lights in the coop for the chickens to see because I have windows and I let the flock take the winter off from laying.
A normal red light won’t heat up the coop.

 

[4910chickens]

Don't they need a certain amount of light day for laying eggs? With the short days in the winter was just wondering I guess.

 

[cmom]

I live in Florida. I do have night lights in all of my coops. My brother lives in Northern Michigan. He has birds. He doesn't heat his coop but does have a heat lamp well away from things and when it gets way below 0, he turns on the heat lamp which helps a little. He built a new coop not too long ago. I don't know if he insulated it or not.

This was a long time ago before they built their house.

 

[Percheron chick]

I'll assume that your girls are young and just started laying. Typically, first year layers do not stop laying over the dark winter months. Skip the lights. Nest fall if you decide to add lights it can be as simple as a string of Christmas lights on a timer.

 

[4910chickens]

I'll assume that your girls are young and just started laying. Typically, first year layers do not stop laying over the dark winter months. Skip the lights. Nest fall if you decide to add lights it can be as simple as a string of Christmas lights on a timer.

Yes young girls and first time. They are ready for the coop soon. Thanks for info.

 

[3KillerBs]

Hello, welcome to BYC.

As a hot climate person I don't have personal experience, but I am informed by the knowledgeable that the key is keeping your chickens DRY so that they can keep themselves warm with their built-in down coats -- which means generous, draft-free ventilation.

Here's BYC's best article on cold-weather chicken keeping: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[aart]

What the best way to keep your coop warm? My coop is 8 x 6 foot 6 foot high insulated. I live in Northern Minnesota so winters get -30 to -50 hear in Embarrass. Also have heard red colored light work good for lighting. Thanks

Ventilation is way more important than heat, they are wearing down coats.
Show us your coop and we can help.

Tho you'll want to heat their drinking water.
I recommend Horizontal nipples.


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