To Heat or Not To Heat

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FHF ChickenMom

FHF ChickenMom

Chirping
Jul 24, 2017
43
19
59
South Wales, NY
Hi Folks! Uh, I'm not sure if they're changing where you are, but I'm in Western new York and the leaves are beginning to change already. I have read several stories and opinions on this subject already but I want to throw it out to my support group. Heat lamp or no?
 
No. Keep them in a well-ventilated, draft-free coop and they'll be just fine. My chickens live in an 8x8 area with vented soffits and windows that tip in at the tops for ventilation, when I get around to putting them in. I also leave the pop door open most of the winter. I will close door and windows when it gets in the teens below zero. More importantly, they need to be kept dry which is why you want the ventilation. Too much humidity in the coop causes frostbite and respiratory problems. They can actually get frostbite at relatively warm temperatures if the coop is too humid. The humidity buildup is caused by their breathing and pooping.

Your chickens will acclimate to the cold weather if you let them be. The colder it gets, the more fluffy down they will grow - basically growing their own little down coats. The warmth gets trapped in their feathers and keeps them comfortable. Consistent temperatures are better for them - cold inside and out. That's because they can't take their down coats off when they come in from outside. Think about this - when you go outside in the winter, you can put on your winter gear. Coat, ski pants, boots, hat, mittens, scarf. You go outside with all that on, and for the most part you can be comfortable. But what about when you go back in? Try leaving it all on for a couple of hours in your heated home. Or, you can heat their coop, get them dependent on that heat lamp so they don't grow their extra feathers, and your electricity goes out in a storm. Your chickens will not be equipped to handle that sudden cold. All this and then there is also the chance of your heat lamp causing a coop fire. It happens.
 
bobbi-j said:
No. Keep them in a well-ventilated, draft-free coop and they'll be just fine. My chickens live in an 8x8 area with vented soffits and windows that tip in at the tops for ventilation, when I get around to putting them in. I also leave the pop door open most of the winter. I will close door and windows when it gets in the teens below zero. More importantly, they need to be kept dry which is why you want the ventilation. Too much humidity in the coop causes frostbite and respiratory problems. They can actually get frostbite at relatively warm temperatures if the coop is too humid. The humidity buildup is caused by their breathing and pooping.

Your chickens will acclimate to the cold weather if you let them be. The colder it gets, the more fluffy down they will grow - basically growing their own little down coats. The warmth gets trapped in their feathers and keeps them comfortable. Consistent temperatures are better for them - cold inside and out. That's because they can't take their down coats off when they come in from outside. Think about this - when you go outside in the winter, you can put on your winter gear. Coat, ski pants, boots, hat, mittens, scarf. You go outside with all that on, and for the most part you can be comfortable. But what about when you go back in? Try leaving it all on for a couple of hours in your heated home. Or, you can heat their coop, get them dependent on that heat lamp so they don't grow their extra feathers, and your electricity goes out in a storm. Your chickens will not be equipped to handle that sudden cold. All this and then there is also the chance of your heat lamp causing a coop fire. It happens.
Click to expand...
Well that's a whole lot of valuable information put in down right apples and oranges terms. I am extremely appreciative. That nailed it. Thank you so much!
 
FHF ChickenMom said:
Well that's a whole lot of valuable information put in down right apples and oranges terms. I am extremely appreciative. That nailed it. Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
You're very welcome. FWIW, I have seen both sides of this issue. I used to close my coop up tight and heat it when I first got chickens. Couldn't figure out why they always got frostbite, even when it wasn't sub-zero temperatures. After I quit heating the coop, I had a lot less problems with my flock over winter.
 

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