Leaving the heat lamp on.

[bledsoe95]

Yes i used to have it covered be4 i moved it.

 

[AnnainMD]

There are several reasons chickens do not need heat and why heat should be avoided:

1. They have down to keep themselves warm. What is cold to us is NOT cold to them.
2. Chickens naturally adapt their "feather cover" to the surrounding temperature. So if you provide heat, they never grow the extra feathers they need to keep warm in the cold. If your power goes out they can have a VERY hard time adapting to the "new" cold and possibly die.
3. Using a light bulb is dangerous. Period. Especially if it's "clipped to a nail."

Your coop should have natural light that illuminates it. If you have placed black plastic over the windows, switch to clear plastic to allow light in. No matter the temperature, you must have ventilation. Chickens put out a lot of water in their breath and in their poop, it has to go somewhere.

THIS is cold:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=5145374

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I give 100 watt light bulbs to my chickens (in every coop) when it gets down to freezing. But I have them wired with wire two different ways (not depending on the clamp at all).

They appreciate it. I want them to be comfortable. I am prepared to put them in the garage if the power goes out, as I take responsibility for giving them heat. '

My coops are on a hill that receives a LOT of damp moisture and high winds- I could put a windmill there with good results.

You can get frostbite so easily in those conditions.

Also, some folks' coops are better than others. My coops are all uninsulated, claptrap jobs. Other people have wonderful insulated shed-type coops that are practically HOUSES.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Nothing. Unless it gets too hard-packed-icy out there and the chickens don't like it, in which case you can chuck down a layer of straw or suchlike to keep their feeties up off the cold freezy surface.

Some chickens actually really *like* snow.

Pat