Keeping chickens warm in the winter

[BeckytheHen]

Does anyone "leave the light on" for the hens when it freezes? 2 of my chickens are 2 years old and the other 3 are teenagers. The older ones caught a respitory infection, but I think they will be ok. The younger ones huddle, the older ones don't.

 

[50-45-1]

this question has everything to do with your coop, your location and general set up.
i do not heat my coop. i am in northern Michigan where my chickens dont get outside for months at a time in winter. my coop is a walk in 11 by 13 and i have 12 chickens and 4 guineas. there body heat keep the inside comfortable.
smaller coops with no ventilation can build up moisture and dampness which will lead to respiratory problems and sickness.
generally chickens do not need heat. nature has given them good feathering to keep warm. a drafty situation can chill them though.
show us a photo of your set up and we can give better advice.
welcome to the backyard by the way...

 

[Mrs. K]

Think dry and wind protection, with good ventilation above their heads. Think deep dry bedding.

Do not think close up the coop tightly to trap heat, what happens is you trap moisture and damp chickens are cold chickens. Dry chickens are warm.

 

[Uff Da]

I am in Montana, where we spend at least a few weeks of the year well below zero, and I don't know anyone who heats their coop. My coop isn't even especially draft free or dry--it's currently got a load of snow in it that blew in during our most recent storm (60mph winds gets snow through any crack). They do just fine.

 

[aart]

this question has everything to do with your coop, your location and general set up.....show us a photo of your set up and we can give better advice.

Ditto Dat!^^^

The first winter is tough and scary, until you get things setup well and see how tough those birds really are.

..and Welcome to posting on BYC! @BeckytheHen
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Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
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[Basultooutdoors]

In general, I would use a heat lamp in a coop big enough for them to get away from it if it is too hot.

 

[aart]

In general, I would use a heat lamp in a coop big enough for them to get away from it if it is too hot.

Huge fire hazard.

 

[Basultooutdoors]

If it is installed correctly- suspended from roof without touching anything, it will be fine

 

[aart]

If it is installed correctly- suspended from roof without touching anything, it will be fine

Maybe...let's first find out if OP even needs one in their climate.

 

[Mrs. K]

No bird at teenage years and 2 years old needs a heat lamp, even at -30 degrees. A lot of coops have burned down with a heat lamp.