I caved. I put a heat lamp in the coop...

[beckt]

Ok, I am only half bad. lol For the first time in 8 years I have two heat lamps going. Not in the coops, those birds are used to the temps. But over 2 cages. One is my silkie cage and the other one is on a lone pullet that has been on the verge of death several times and has pulled thru, I put the lamp on her because I know without it she would not still be here. My electric bill was 110 dollars last month and I hate to see the next bill (coming any day now) My husband made some kind of remark about how it was higher than it used to be. But what the heck he don't live here anymore and is paying the bill, so I decided I was going to do what ever it takes to keep them safe and alive. I only wish I had power to the coops, then I would have some of those electric water bases. This frozen water thing is really getting to me this year. Come on Spring!!!

 

[kathyinmo]

Me too...... I did it. I confess.

I have a red heat lamp (250 watt) in each and every coop. I am not an advocate of heating coops.....
BUT, when we got 21" of snow and the forecast for the night was -40 wind chill, I ran outside and put a light in. I am leaving them in for the rest of the week, as the temps are terribly low.

 

[MakNugget]

I refuse to put a heat lamp in my coop.

Not because I'm cruel, but because I wouldn't be able to sleep AT ALL knowing that I've introduced a potential fire hazard, no matter how secure or safe I make it.

Instead, I do what I can that can help keep the elements out without the use of heat. Warm water/food, scratch, wind breaks, etc. My temp gauges have min/max settings so I can monitor how it is inside and out.

After one of our first cold snaps for the winter where it dropped to the teens for a few days, we had not one, but TWO coop fires due to heat lamps on the same day, in MY general neighborhood. Sheesh! Luckily no one (or chicken) was harmed.

Now in my case, I'm not fully out in the clear, since I do choose to run power to it, but that's about as far as I'm willing to go.

 

[Fox&hen]

I too have a 100 watt bulb and ONLY turn them on when it gets around zero, they have to be able to tolerate cold weather or the chickens from years back would never have made to modern day. Trying to keep in mind that all the wild animals and birds survive, crows, sparrows, etc. We are all just kind hearted, and are softies when it comes the our feathered friends.