To Heat or Not to Heat-That is the Question

[featherhead007]

This is my first winter with 4 large brown chickens. It got down to 14 degrees last night. I'm not into heating. The girls did great! I was pleasantly surprised. I do have tarps up to shield them from the wind. My coop has some drafts. I did put Vaseline on their combs just in case of frost bite.

you are doing great

 

[WILIFORD]

This is probably going to sound crazy to most of you, but my grand father raised turkeys in the mid west in the 1930's & 40's. The winters were pretty rugged from what I understand. He would feed his turkeys cayenne pepper in the winter to raise their body temperature, to prevent them from freezing. I myself have taken cayenne pepper in the winter when working outside and I can assure you, it does raise your body temperature. Additionally there are many more health benefits to both humans and animals from the consumption of cayenne pepper

 

[Molpet]

This is probably going to sound crazy to most of you, but my grand father raised turkeys in the mid west in the 1930's & 40's. The winters were pretty rugged from what I understand. He would feed his turkeys cayenne pepper in the winter to raise their body temperature, to prevent them from freezing. I myself have taken cayenne pepper in the winter when working outside and I can assure you, it does raise your body temperature. Additionally there are many more health benefits to both humans and animals from the consumption of cayenne pepper

yep 1/4 teaspoon a day for a chicken

 

[WILIFORD]

my chickens get temperatures down to -25. i do use heat lamps but only because of the water. if you have a electric water then dont worry about heat. tell your mom to think of the 1800s when there was no heat for the chickens in the winter.

Very good point!

 

[sharkerbaby]

I have only had chickens for a few years now, and never used heat in the winter, but want to get some feedback. I have two hens that are in a bad molt right now, They are nearly naked and temps are dropping below zero night and the wind is making the days frigid as well. The water is always kept outside in the pen, but they two hens won't leave the door of the coop. I have moved the water as close to the door as I can but I haven't seen them go out for days now. I have plastic tarps up to stop the wind, but do I also need to heat the pen so they will come out???

You might want to post this question in it's own thread to get feedback specific to you. (I'd offer advise but this is my first winter, so I don't know.)

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Thank you all for your feedback! I appreciate it very much! I have talked to my mom, and she seems apprehensive, but I'll get there! Thanks again!

 

[bobbieschicks]

I have only had chickens for a few years now, and never used heat in the winter, but want to get some feedback. I have two hens that are in a bad molt right now, They are nearly naked and temps are dropping below zero night and the wind is making the days frigid as well. The water is always kept outside in the pen, but they two hens won't leave the door of the coop. I have moved the water as close to the door as I can but I haven't seen them go out for days now. I have plastic tarps up to stop the wind, but do I also need to heat the pen so they will come out???

Don't heat the coop, the hens will be fine. I have several girls who went through a severe molt during winter last year and they were fine. If you're worried they aren't coming out to drink and eat, maybe put a small bowl of warm water and a small bowl of feed inside the coop with them during the day.

 

[smills4635]

First winter with our first chickens. Thanks for confirming what I thought: the heat lamp I was considering is not only unnecessary, but could be dangerous in the tiny coop my 3 girls share! But I'm worried our home built coop isn't ventilated enough. Worried about Predators, we put one small A/C floor vent on both the east and west side of the coop, up high near the eves.Their run is as secure as fort Knox, so we've been leaving the trap door open as well. How do i know They're getting enough air without drafts? If I close the trap door will the little vents be enough? Thanks!

 

[pasuit]

I have only had chickens for a few years now, and never used heat in the winter, but want to get some feedback. I have two hens that are in a bad molt right now, They are nearly naked and temps are dropping below zero night and the wind is making the days frigid as well. The water is always kept outside in the pen, but they two hens won't leave the door of the coop. I have moved the water as close to the door as I can but I haven't seen them go out for days now. I have plastic tarps up to stop the wind, but do I also need to heat the pen so they will come out???

 

[pasuit]

I keep water inside their coop in a Little giant galvanized container. It's warmer and it's not really too messey.