Red light chickens

[bertio]

Hey folks. I'm rather new at the chicken thing. Although I've had my girls since last Easter. I have a question for anyone out there that can tell me a bit more about heating my chicken coop. It's about 4"x6" and I have 6 ladies. At the moment it's getting rather cool and damp at night. So I installed a Heat Lamp which is on from &pm. to 7am. Problem is: they don't seem to want to go inside where it's nice and warm when it gets dark. All I hear is a lot of talking and grumbling once I stick them in. Could I be interupting their sleep cycle by having the Heat Lamp ON all night? Any feedback would ber greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[dacjohns]

A red light heat lamp might help.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

It could be TOO warm for them.... Unless your up in Alaska, and temps are dipping near freezing, its still too early for heat lamps.

 

[debilorrah]

We have an oil radiator that we can adjust temps on. That works well. It was only $36 at Lowe's.

 

[dacjohns]

I should have read the post closer. Sorry about that.

If you have had them since Easter then they are pretty much full grown. Like Poulets said, they probably don't need a heat lamp. Unless you are in a cold place they probably won't need a heat lamp even in the winter.

 

[MissPrissy]

Fully feathered chickens do not need external heat sources. They do very well in cool and cold weather. Most large breeds do best in coolish temps.

 

[debilorrah]

We only turn on their radiator if the temps are due to be below freezing - we have insulation in the hen house. We usually set the temp at either 45 or 50. They are very spoiled chickens.

 

[Opa]

I use a heat emitter bulb in my coop. It doesn't put out any light. It's on a thermostat that turns on at 35 degrees. It's mainly to keep the water from freezing. Make sure your coop is draft free and the birds will be fine.

 

[bertio]

Well, thank you all very much for the info. I appreciate the replies. They sound good enough for me. I did insulate the coop and roof. However, I'll add more bedding for them and will remember about the oil radiator when it really gets cold. My girls are truly a bunch of spoiled Canadian chickens. Guess I'd better not start knitting them those little booties? LOL . THX.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
Never hurts to be prepared.... LOL