More great ideas! I wish I had thought of stacking up bags of leaves. Too late now, everything is frozen. But bales of straw might still be an option. I don't really need straw for anything other than insulation, though, so is there a good use for it in the spring/summer? I guess if I buy $100 worth of straw, it would still be a lot cheaper than plugging in a heater.
We're at about 61 degrees N. The sun isn't coming up over the mountains until at least 10:00 am right now, setting at 4:00 PM and fading fast. I could turn the light on for a few hours in the morning and a few hours in the evening. Or get a timer and set it to turn on really early or stay on really late.
The temps got up into the twenties today. It feels like spring. I need to take advantage of the heat wave and get things ready for the next cold snap.
Hilandfrog, to answer your question, I'm no pro, but after watching how well my hens have done during this cold spell, I think heating for anything in the teens or above is just pampering. Of course, it depends on your breed of chicken, too. Mine are all cold weather hardy breeds. I want to make sure they are safe and comfortable and living within the temperature range they're best suited for, and if I can work it so they keep on laying through the winter, even better.
Here's one last question about something that has been bothering me - and please don't laugh! If I set the timer for the light to turn off, can the chickens then find their way to the roost when it suddenly goes pitch black?? I picture them out there flapping and stumbling around or just sitting down on the floor in defeat.