Hello I’m a newbie nice to be here and need some help.

[truthgiver]

My husband has been putting a 40 watt fluorescent light bulb in our little chicken coop for our 3 grown chickens.


Tonight it is supposed to be 16 or below degrees is that enough to keep them warm? We use shredded cardboard in there on top of the plastic grass squares that we used in the warmer months is that enough for them.


I used to raise chickens before I was married to him and the lived outside all the time and under a storage building and I never did any of what he is doing. None ever got sick or died so I need some advice he is afraid if he takes the club out now they are used to it and they might die without it is he right?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Chickens are well adapted keeping themselves warm. They don't generally need supplemental heat unless they do not have normal chicken feathers like silkies or you live in extreme temperatures where it is regularly below zero for multiple days. They need protection from wind blowing directly across them when roosted and they need a huge amount of ventilation to have the moist, stale air rise up and leave the coop while fresh dry air comes in. That means don't put any open water sources in the coop with them.

 

[pnw_urban_chix]

Howdy, and welcome to BYC!

 

[truthgiver]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Chickens are well adapted keeping themselves warm. They don't generally need supplemental heat unless they do not have normal chicken feathers like silkies or you live in extreme temperatures where it is regularly below zero for multiple days. They need protection from wind blowing directly across them when roosted and they need a huge amount of ventilation to have the moist, stale air rise up and leave the coop while fresh dry air comes in. That means don't put any open water sources in the coop with them.

Thank you since they are used to that light can it be taken out without making them sick?

 

[truthgiver]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Chickens are well adapted keeping themselves warm. They don't generally need supplemental heat unless they do not have normal chicken feathers like silkies or you live in extreme temperatures where it is regularly below zero for multiple days. They need protection from wind blowing directly across them when roosted and they need a huge amount of ventilation to have the moist, stale air rise up and leave the coop while fresh dry air comes in. That means don't put any open water sources in the coop with them.

Howdy, and welcome to BYC!

Thank you

 

[DobieLover]

Thank you since they are used to that light can it be taken out without making them sick?

What has the temp been at night in your area? Can you post pictures of your coop?
Are you sure it's a fluorescent bulb and not incandescent? Fluorescent bulbs give off very little heat and 40 watts wouldn't make much of a difference at all.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

I would be afraid running that light at night would stop them or slow them down from laying, and like @DobieLover said, it's not putting out much heat at all.

As long as they are draft-free and dry, those temps you have aren't so bad for most breeds.

We're glad you're here!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[N F C]

Hi, thanks for joining us. Some good info from @DobieLover. Adult chickens are remarkably good at staying warm provided they are out of direct drafts and their coop is well ventilated.
Best wishes!