temp. in my coop

[ironjim]

this is my first year raising chickens.I have 13(rhode reds,barred rocks,black stars,&americaunas).I can't supply enough eggs for the demand!I plan to get 2 or 3 dozenmore by spring.I have a coop that is insulated W/vinyl-faced metal building insulation.My question is,at what temp should I turn on a heat lamp,and what temp if any, am I shooting for inside the coop?also I have an outdoor run that locks predaters out,so should I leave their little door open,even at night for ventilation?It's starting to get cold at night here.Any help is appreciated

 

[peepkeeper]

Don't worry too much about keeping the coop warm. Chickens are pretty well insulated and cold generally doesn't bother them. If they can get out of the weather and drafts they're usually fine. I have a heat lamp in my coop if it gets really unduly cold but I don't use it that often, only if it gets down into the single digits. I would shut them in their coop at night, every night. You wouldn't believe how many critters can break into a "predator proof" run, especially in winter when food is not plentiful. I've heard many stories that began "I thought my run was secure and nothing could get in until one morning I found. . . "

Good luck! And keep a light on in the coop if you want them to lay through the winter. Use a timer to turn it on at about 4, off at about 8 or 9.

 

[ironjim]

Thanx for the info.I've already bought the wiring,timer,&lights.That will definately be my weekend project

 

[squirtnlex]

they wont lay over the winter?

 

[ozark hen]

I think if the waterer freezes up then I put a light bulb ( 60wtt)over the water container..other than that I do not add heat due to above postings on chickens. Now I do have the north and outside walls insulated and a gap at the top of the door (door I enter from the three-sided enclosed garage)that is the width of the door, about 5 inches wide by about 2 feet or so. That is for ventilation. I lock mine up each night as I had a possum get in there and kill one chick. I also use the deep litter method an I turn the shavings daily to fluff them up, this more insulation on the floor. I think if it got down to 0` I might use more standard light bulbs but I doubt it as it is comfortable in there for them. It builds up their immunity to allow them to acclimate to the cold.