Question About Heat Lamp

[The Great Eel Man]

Hey, I have had my flock for about 4 months now and Currently have a heat lamp and water heater (Because it gets pretty Darn cold up here). At the moment I have these both connected to a heavy duty extension cord that leads to my house. I know in winter that the water heater should always be on but I was wondering if I should always leave on the heat lamp, like will it affect their sleep cycles or will they be fine?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What are your lowest temperatures? I personally wouldn't be running a heat lamp at all due to the risk of fires.

 

[The Great Eel Man]

What are your lowest temperatures? I personally wouldn't be running a heat lamp at all due to the risk of fires.

It gets pretty cold here in Alberta with temperatures in the winter being about -35 Celcius at their lowest but the coldest I've ever experienced here is -31 C

 

[sylviethecochin]

My hens have been fine at that temperature, (about two weeks straight of -30s in 2013.) If your coop is well-ventilated and the perch isn't too close to the ceiling, you should be fine.

 

[The Great Eel Man]

My hens have been fine at that temperature, (about two weeks straight of -30s in 2013.) If your coop is well-ventilated and the perch isn't too close to the ceiling, you should be fine.

Thanks

 

[sourland]

If you can wean them from the heat lamp by gradually decreasing bulb size, I would do so. One problem with heating is that if you lose power, they are not acclimated to the colder temperatures. Generally keeping them dry, draft free and well fed and watered is enough to get them through the coldest temps.

 

[lazy gardener]

Our temp goes very low, with a cold snap typically going down to -10*F, and possibly not making it above single digits for a week or more at a time. The only time I ever offer heat is when my birds are showing signs of hypothermia. They move less, and they actually eat less when they should be eating more.

Of course safety is super important. If you use a heat lamp, it needs to be secured by more than one source. Chain or wire. Never trust the clamp. Keep the lamp hood and the bulb free of dust, keep a wire grid over it, be sure that it can't be knocked down, that the chickens can't contact it, and inspect it daily. Also, you should have a GFCI outlet or power strip.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It gets pretty cold here in Alberta with temperatures in the winter being about -35 Celcius at their lowest but the coldest I've ever experienced here is -31 C

Your temperatures sound similar to here. Your chickens will be fine generally, though there can be some slight frostbite on hens combs and roosters can get it a bit worse. They do fine though.

On those really cold days give them some warm water, warm oatmeal possibly, throw out some scratch to get your chickens moving.

Make sure they are out of drafts, and they have something like hay to stand on. A south facing window is always welcome for some warming sunlight. Make sure your roosts are wide, a 2x4 with the 4 up so their toes are well covered. I have had chickens lose toes to frostbite.

Heating sounds nice, but a heat lamp with adult chickens is dangerous. The risk of the bulb breaking is high. You could look into heat plates, they are supposed to be safer if you feel the need to provide extra heat.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Currently have a heat lamp

My method for dealing with winter is quite simple one extra feeder of whole corn. I live in Canada subject to -40º. I have 67 trips around the sun. I have raised various types of chickens and birds for decades.

TLC still has to be provided to birds that may not be adapting well to the diet. For the most part birds are vocal happy and do just fine. NO HEAT NO EXTRA LIGHT please and thank you works fine for me and my flock.

If for any reason you find it necessary to supply electricity to your coop via extension cord.

Please employ a "Ground Fault Outlet" also use a "Safety Chain" in conjunction to any heat lamp or incandescent bulb after mounting.
One coop fire is too many and these precautions could be the difference.

A simple action such as a rodent chewing on your extension cord could be the cause of a coop fire and a ground fault circuit could be the difference in witnessing your coop in tack or a pile of smoldering ash.

P.S. There are now a variety of ground fault extension cords available in major retail centers that also would be a wise investment.

 

[The Great Eel Man]

My method for dealing with winter is quite simple one extra feeder of whole corn. I live in Canada subject to -40º. I have 67 trips around the sun. I have raised various types of chickens and birds for decades.

TLC still has to be provided to birds that may not be adapting well to the diet. For the most part birds are vocal happy and do just fine. NO HEAT NO EXTRA LIGHT please and thank you works fine for me and my flock.

If for any reason you find it necessary to supply electricity to your coop via extension cord.

Please employ a "Ground Fault Outlet" also use a "Safety Chain" in conjunction to any heat lamp or incandescent bulb after mounting.
One coop fire is too many and these precautions could be the difference.

A simple action such as a rodent chewing on your extension cord could be the cause of a coop fire and a ground fault circuit could be the difference in witnessing your coop in tack or a pile of smoldering ash.

P.S. There are now a variety of ground fault extension cords available in major retail centers that also would be a wise investment.

Luckily,I have the extension cord already hooked up to a GFCI from my house, I will get right on properly mounting the Lamp. I also really wanted to have an underground line but of course it's winter now and I also don't really want to try and have to deal with that kind of stuff so I will probably just put more protection around the existing cord because you probably can't bury extension cords, I'm assuming. Thanks for the Advice.
P.S. I have heard that whole corn is good for chickens in the winter but I found that you need to put out some type of grit in that case. I will be getting some corn and grit for them very soon.