My chickens seem cold- heater?

[JoeInPA]

Hi everyone, we are finally getting into winter and it's getting pretty cold out there. My chickens seem to be spending more time in the coop than out. I leave the pop door open during the day so they are free to come and go as they please, and they do come outside a few times a day and peck around, but they are mostly staying inside.

This is my first year with chickens and I know everyone has said they should be fine without heat, but I can't help but get worried about them being cold.

I have to run into town today and buy a heater for their water so it doesn't freeze, but I'm wondering if I should grab anything else that may help them stay warm or entice them to come outside. I was going to buy some scratch since they've never had it.

I don't have power in my coop setup, but it's only 10 yards or so from my back porch. I can easily run an outdoor extension cord for any power. I have an GFCI outlet on the back porch to plug into.

Has anyone used one of these before?

Cozy Products CL Safe Chicken Coop Heater 200 Watts Safer Than Brooder Lamps, One Size, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LX9K1JI/?tag=backy-20

Here is my coop setup, this picture is from a week or so ago.

 

[FortCluck]

It's common for them to hang inside when it's colder. You don't have to give them heat, but if you want to you can. I know a few people who have bought that same heater for various reasons and they say it works really well.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How windy is it? My chickens have no problems being outside in weather below zero Fahrenheit as long as there is no wind. But if they cannot get out of a cold wind outside, they stay inside. Instead of a heater you might be better off with a wind block.

 

[SueZ 24]

My birds don't have a heater and they do fine but like the person before said, make sure that the wind doesn't get through their coop. Also, maybe put their food and water inside the coop if there is room so they don't have to go outside if they don't want to

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

Mine have been fine without heat when it was -45. They huddle together & don't really move around much, but they do fine. Even my bantams (including a silkie) did fine. A couple of my boys lost the tips of their toes to frostbite, but they seem unfazed.

Covering their run will help. I use vapour barrier or a tarp. I don't recommend using clear as it can make things way too hot for them.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I wrap my run with clear plastic shower curtains. This blocks the wind and provides extra warmth. It got really cold last night and is windy today. When I cleaned their coop I let them out of their run, but they came back in to get out of the wind. Last Winter was really cold and mine did fine without added heat.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Mine have been fine without heat when it was -45. They huddle together & don't really move around much, but they do fine. Even my bantams (including a silkie) did fine. A couple of my boys lost the tips of their toes to frostbite, but they seem unfazed.

Covering their run will help. I use vapour barrier or a tarp. I don't recommend using clear as it can make things way too hot for them.

I use clear and they are fine. You just need to leave enough room at the top of the plastic to allow for ventilation. My chickens like to be able to see outside of their run.

 

[Ox21167]

Hi everyone, we are finally getting into winter and it's getting pretty cold out there. My chickens seem to be spending more time in the coop than out. I leave the pop door open during the day so they are free to come and go as they please, and they do come outside a few times a day and peck around, but they are mostly staying inside.

This is my first year with chickens and I know everyone has said they should be fine without heat, but I can't help but get worried about them being cold.

I have to run into town today and buy a heater for their water so it doesn't freeze, but I'm wondering if I should grab anything else that may help them stay warm or entice them to come outside. I was going to buy some scratch since they've never had it.

I don't have power in my coop setup, but it's only 10 yards or so from my back porch. I can easily run an outdoor extension cord for any power. I have an GFCI outlet on the back porch to plug into.

Has anyone used one of these before?

Cozy Products CL Safe Chicken Coop Heater 200 Watts Safer Than Brooder Lamps, One Size, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LX9K1JI/?tag=backy-20

Here is my coop setup, this picture is from a week or so ago.

View attachment 1954458

I Recommend not putting a heat lamp in your coop. It is a big fire hazard for your birds. I know someone who's coop burned down, along with every one of her birds. She said her yard smelled like cooked chicken. Please, whatever you do, do not put a heat lamp in your coop. Chickens are very good at regulating body temperature. They can survive into negative numbers. Also, If you put in a heat lamp, your birds will become dependent on it, so once it is removed, they will have a very hard time adjusting and not be able to regulate body temperature as well.

But, if you believe it is worth the risk, go ahead.

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

I use clear and they are fine. You just need to leave enough room at the top of the plastic to allow for ventilation. My chickens like to be able to see outside of their run.

I agree about seeing. I've got half the run covered, and the other half open.

 

[BullChick]

Yes, it’s getting cold out there. Adding heat isn’t advised though. If you lose power, the flock won’t be able to deal. The birds are going to acclimate to the current temperatures, and will be fine. A draft free coop, and liquid water (snow doesn’t count) is all they need. You have that covered.
An evening snack of cracked corn does help. It takes energy to stay warm, and corn takes a while to burn off.