It’s REALLY cold here ... supplemental heat?

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MIChickandGuinea

MIChickandGuinea

Songster
Jun 28, 2017
400
488
156
Western Michigan
It’s currently -4F, and going lower overnight. We have a new coop that’s performing well for staying dry and free from any frost/condensation (there are 5 large windows, and NO frost on any of them, no frost on ceiling- so I believe humidity/ventilation are properly controlled), and has very good draft protection. There is also very deep litter (fine pine shavings plus chopped straw) on the floor and in nesting boxes. Perches are wide (2x4 lying the wide way) so they can settle feathers over their feet. There are 9 hens, sleeping 7 lined up on a roost and 2 cuddled together in a nest box.

Will my little girls be OK? Or should we turn on an incandescent light for a little supplemental heat? The coop is 4x8 floor with 5.5’ center sloped shed-style roof. The light we have available is a clamp-style hooded brooder heat lamp with bulbs from 40 to 250 watts available (Though I don’t feel comfortable with a very hot bulb out there when we’re sleeping ... I guess 60-100 watts is about as hot as what seems safe to me).

Should we heat a little on this very cold night?
 
Make sure your heat lamp is about 30" above bedding and free of dust. Even high is good, but you don't want it too low as your birds ARE grown.
It is your choice but up to -30°C they should be just fine.
 
MIChickandGuinea said:
It’s currently -4F, and going lower overnight. We have a new coop that’s performing well for staying dry and free from any frost/condensation (there are 5 large windows, and NO frost on any of them, no frost on ceiling- so I believe humidity/ventilation are properly controlled), and has very good draft protection. There is also very deep litter (fine pine shavings plus chopped straw) on the floor and in nesting boxes. Perches are wide (2x4 lying the wide way) so they can settle feathers over their feet. There are 9 hens, sleeping 7 lined up on a roost and 2 cuddled together in a nest box.

Will my little girls be OK? Or should we turn on an incandescent light for a little supplemental heat? The coop is 4x8 floor with 5.5’ center sloped shed-style roof. The light we have available is a clamp-style hooded brooder heat lamp with bulbs from 40 to 250 watts available (Though I don’t feel comfortable with a very hot bulb out there when we’re sleeping ... I guess 60-100 watts is about as hot as what seems safe to me).

Should we heat a little on this very cold night?
Click to expand...
Your girls should be just fine. I have the same temps, don’t heat and am not worried a bit.
 
MIChickandGuinea said:
Oh, wow. I didn’t know they were so cold-tolerant!! That’s good to know. I didn’t expect to be so attached to, so fond of, and so concerned about chickens that I would lie awake on a cold night, wondering if they’re safe... but there you have it. I am rapidly becoming a crazy chicken lady.
Click to expand...
Me too, don't worry. I'm the local "bird nerd" :cool::lau
 
I put heat in mine at the request of my husband. I was doubly against it at first, but I took his advice considering he built the coop. He did, however, take measures to safely and securely install the heat lamp.

The problem is our coop can hold 12-18 birds and right now there is only 6 in there. The extra heat really makes a difference in our birds behavior.
 

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