To heat or not to heat!

[aart]

I am struggling with the same question. I live in upstate NY and we are starting to get cold, at times this winter, we will be below zero. I have eliminated drafts and insulated the coop and increased ventilation above their heads.

My concern is that my flock is just over 4 months old. They aren't fully grown adults yet. They look fully feathered of course, but we will hit 20º in a couple nights. I have one of those Cozy Coop flat panel heaters ready to install. I am terrified of fire hazards anyway, so I would rather try this instead. I had it on in the house and it actually does warm a bit. Has anyone else tried this product?

Here is the flock, do they look old enough to get through a 20º night?

Thanks!

They will be fine, forget the heater.
Post some pics of your coop in this thread of yours:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/coop-ventilation-placement.1203747/

 

[PirateGirl]

If it makes you feel better, my chicks were hatched last spring (so less than a year old) and have already gone many nights below freezing without heat, both last spring and this fall, have seen temps in the teens, and seen snow on several occasions. They will be fine without heat. You can take steps on colder nights to make them more comfortable. I make sure their window is closed, I scoop the poop from under the roost if it is to be especially cold since the poop holds moisture, and I throw a few extra inches of pine shavings in the bottom of the coop. I also try and close up the door as soon as I notice they have gone in for the night to help trap their heat (when it's warm I just close the door whenever I go to bed).