Questions about heat lamps???

[ErikCH]

Hey guys! I was wondering what the consensus is about having a heat lamp inside my coop for a few of the coldest weeks??

It says the temperature will drop to about 15 F / -10 C at night for the next couple of weeks. I don’t know if that’s too cold for them.

I just put one in this morning to see how they respond as a test for little bit.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You don't need to heat at those temperatures.

Cons: Fire hazard, cost of operation, acclimates birds to warmth in winter

Pros: makes you feel better

My grow outs usually self integrate into main coop by winter. This year most of them stuck with the large dog kennel carrier. It's under cover in run that's closed in three sides with hay down. -1 F two nights ago, single digit high for two days and will be -5 F tonight. They are acclimated to winter, come running out of "coop" in morning to eat and scratch about like normal.

 

[007Sean]

As long as the coop is draft free, there should be no problems with them handling those temps, if they are mature and fully feathered.
Another concern would be ventilation, without adequate ventilation the coop could hold a high humidity level and the chance of frost bite increases.

If using a heat lamp, make sure it is secure, can't fall down, if bumped or if they fly into it.

 

[ErikCH]

As long as the coop is draft free, there should be no problems with them handling those temps, if they are mature and fully feathered.
Another concern would be ventilation, without adequate ventilation the coop could hold a high humidity level and the chance of frost bite increases.

If using a heat lamp, make sure it is secure, can't fall down, if bumped or if they fly into it.

Great! Thank you for the advice!

It definitely gets ventilation because the door is always open to the run, which is closed at all times.

Where the lamp is at the moment is definitely secure. Do you think it’s smart to try it for a night and see how they like it?

 

[ErikCH]

You don't need to heat at those temperatures.

Cons: Fire hazard, cost of operation, acclimates birds to warmth in winter

Pros: makes you feel better

My grow outs usually self integrate into main coop by winter. This year most of them stuck with the large dog kennel carrier. It's under cover in run that's closed in three sides with hay down. -1 F two nights ago, single digit high for two days and will be -5 F tonight. They are acclimated to winter, come running out of "coop" in morning to eat and scratch about like normal.

Thanks! That’s good to know

 

[007Sean]

Great! Thank you for the advice!

It definitely gets ventilation because the door is always open to the run, which is closed at all times.

Where the lamp is at the moment is definitely secure. Do you think it’s smart to try it for a night and see how they like it?

If it makes you feel better, sure, but I don't think it's necessary....if you do, put a few thermometers in the coop, to see how much you raise the temp.

 

[ErikCH]

If it makes you feel better, sure, but I don't think it's necessary....if you do, put a few thermometers in the coop, to see how much you raise the temp.

Ok. Thanks for your advice!

 

[007Sean]

Ok. Thanks for your advice!

Your most welcome!

 

[21hens-incharge]

In a coop that size risk of fire is greater and risk of injury to the birds is increased. Your coop is to small to safely have a heat lamp at all.

I am in northern Colorado and regularly get temps below zero. Your low temp listed is what our high temps often are in winter.

No heat. They don't need it and it actually can harm them more than help them.

 

[Aunt Angus]

If you are determined to add heat, maybe a heating pad? MUCH less risk. Just search coop fires. Most are the result of heating lamps.

But I agree with others: they'll be fine! I remember the first cold night for my flock. I don't know how many times I got up to check on them. Those little bodies stay warm thanks to feathers. I remember picking up a pullet on a snowy night and was surprised just how cozy warm she felt. It's why down parkas work so well.