how to manage heat lamp in outdoor coop?

[bangor777]

HI, Well the chicken coop is done, my dad is quite the builder and he did an amazing job of converting an old one room log cabin into an amazing chicken home! My question is this....I want to move my chicks out to the coop this week, they are 4 weeks old and just about fully feathered. We're in Maine so temps dip down every night into the 40s or 50s. I want to move the 250 watt heat lamp out there so they have an area to warm up, I'm just worried about them flying into it and getting burned once they don't have a screened top between them and it. You know what I mean? They're down to a 60 watt light indoors (I think they just like having light, its pretty far above them now).
I have a 'people only' area in the coop, separated from the rest of the coop by a half wall with chicken wire on top. My dad made it so we could replace food and water and gather eggs without going into the chicken area. Maybe I could put the heat lamp on that side and aim it in through the chicken wire, that would be safe. Anyway, thanks for reading, I'd love to hear how other people did this.

 

[gumpsgirl]

I think that would work just fine! That is how I have mine, actually. I have a permanent brooder in the coop and the heat lamp is on the outside of it shining down through the chicken wire. It seems to work just fine for me.

 

[Portia]

Mine was right in with the chickens, hanging from the ceiling and aimed over toward one wall. The lamp itself was only about 4' off the ground but the chickens never had any issue with it. It was not near their roost where they would fly up, so I guess it was okay...meaning I didn't experience any burnt birdies!

 

[jadell]

My lamp is right in the coop too. I haven't had any trouble, but I do have a little wire over the bulb. Mine haven't even really gone under the lamp since they have their feathers. I just leave it in there for the light.