Never gonna start the coop with all this rain!!

[dawj]

I thought is was April showers.......It's may now where are the flowers? Every time i get a day off it rains. I hope mother nature stops the rain soon chicks are getting too big too fast.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Our 10 day forecast is Rain, Rain, Thunderstorms, Rain... etc.

 

[dawj]

I've been drawing up some plans for my coop. What is the best height for heat lamp in winter (will be on thermostat set at 40-50' with a 75 watt bulb). I am in Central NH local stores say light and insulation is needed...do you think i'll need it? Buffs and SLW's.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Quote:
There's a lot of info on here about heat lamps in the winter, and my opinion is you don't need it. I think it's dangerous and bad for the birds.

I do have an insulated coop, it stays about 10 to 30 degrees warmer than the outside even with the windows and vents open. I lost 1 bird this winter, and she fell off the roost and hit her head on the poop board so it was not due to weather. I had a very minimal amount of frostbite.

I even had a GLW hatch out 3 chicks out there when it was sub-zero and they all survived. Really.

Birds are well equipped to keep themselves warm. Make sure your roost is wide enough for them to cover their feet/toes (I use a 2x4 with the 4 end up) and you have plenty of litter on the floor for them to snuggle in.

I also fed black oil sunflower seeds twice daily to give them energy.