Topic of the Week - Heat Sources: Yes or No?

[BYC Project Manager]

Heated coops can be controversial. This week, let’s discuss whether you use heat sources in winter and why or why not. For example:

• What’s your take on using heat lamps or other heaters in the coop?
• Have you had any safety concerns or incidents related to heat sources?
• What are alternative ways you keep the coop warm without using electrical heat?
• How do you ensure your chickens acclimate properly to the cold?

Anything else you'd like to add.

For a complete list of our Topic of the Week threads, see here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive

 

[Noraaaaa]

• What’s your take on using heat lamps or other heaters in the coop?

They should have heat lamps or heaters in the coop if you are in a super super super cold place : ). Other than that don't put it in the coop if the birds are fully feathered. I do use heated water because I don't have time everyday to do it. (I have 3 coops).

• Have you had any safety concerns or incidents related to heat sources?

My neighbor's coop actually burnt down due to a heat lamp. So I only use plates now.

• What are alternative ways you keep the coop warm without using electrical heat?

Close windows, have a wind blockage to the door outside, lots of shavings and you can add hay if the chickens like that sort of thing!

• How do you ensure your chickens acclimate properly to the cold?

I know that they are good because all of my non show chickens are older (3-5) so they know about winter. My silkie show chickens are inside 24/7 in a large coop so they are good. My wyandotte show chickens go outside, but for the first few days of winter I close their door so they can get ready for the cold.

 

[lagrange chicks]

No heat here or heated water, just to far from power source. -2 F this morning already took some water down for the girls.

 

[Conniesmeltzer1956]

This is my first winter with my girls. They are doing well. We wrapped the coop up almost completely to help with wind, and I take warm water to them a couple times a day depending on the temperature. They still like to go out in the run so they are getting used to the cold. It’s been below freezing here.

 

[TwoCrows]

Adding heat has always been a controversial subject, some people are totally against adding heat, others use it regularly. It's definitely a personal decision. Adding heat does not necessarily equate to using a heat lamp, there are lots of other ways to heat a coop or a single bird that is totally safe and will not burn a coop down.

I have found in my flocks over the years there are definitely times when heat is needed. Chickens can and do indeed get cold at times, whether or not they need a heat relies intirely on our ability to decern their needs. Some flocks can tolerate frigid temps well below zero and others get chilled at 20F. Health and age of the flock plays a huge part as to how well they tolerate the cold. Sick birds can and do die in frigid cold temps.

I have rarely added heat to the entire coop all night long, even turning on a panel heater when it's -5F can have birds getting off the roost bars and seeking out cooler spots in the coop at night. A healthy bird can adapt to any environmental temp over time.

Very young birds, weak or sick birds, molting birds that are shivering and senior birds can all use a dose of heat at times, especially the senior birds. I have kept several birds aged well into their teens and I have learned that without heat, they will freeze to death and die. Like an old person, they lose muscle mass, muscles generate heat, old birds become quite thin. All my old birds starting around the age of 8 had to be watched, adding heat when temps were in the 20s. By the time they reached the age of 10, the temp tolerance was in the low 30s. Hens in their teens couldn't tolerate temps below 40F. Never ignore your senior birds, they need special attention as they age and adding heat will allow them to live a lot healthier and happier as they age.

 

[Barnette]

I read (don't remember where) that adding a heat source to your coop prevents the birds from naturally adjusting to winter. Where I live, it doesn't get too crazy cold, so I just keep the windows closed, insulate the coops, and sometimes use a water heater

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

• What’s your take on using heat lamps or other heaters in the coop?

Only if you live in a super super cold place should it be permanently on and keep a whole area warm, but personally I have mine in my run away from fire hazards and only use it when it’s below freezing or cold and rainy

• Have you had any safety concerns or incidents related to heat?

No but I have heard of really bad ones

• What are alternative ways you keep the coop warm without using electrical heat?

You can take empty feed sacks, fill with insulation and staple to your coop wall

• How do you ensure your chickens acclimate properly to the cold?

My heat lamp is optional for them and they don’t have to be under it and they don’t sleep with it

 

[Ridgerunner]

What’s your take on using heat lamps or other heaters in the coop?​

Any electrical application is a risk, think shorts or water and electricity mixing. So are things that use flames. If you are going to use anything you need to understand the risks and take precautions.

The coldest I've kept chickens is around -10 F (-23 C). With adequate ventilation and wind protection I've never had a problem with the cold. I've seen single combed chickens sleep in trees in those temperature without problems. They were out of the wind and you can't get better ventilation that sleeping in trees. People with poor ventilation can have problems in much warmer temperatures. There are several stories on this forum that prove that.

• Have you had any safety concerns or incidents related to heat sources?

No personal incidents but I do consider anything to be a risk.

• What are alternative ways you keep the coop warm without using electrical heat?

I do not try to keep the coop warm. I try to let the chickens keep themselves warm with adequate ventilation and wind protection.

• How do you ensure your chickens acclimate properly to the cold?

I don't do anything other than with baby chicks. I provide baby chicks a warm enough place if it is cold and a cool enough place if it is warm. They basically acclimate themselves.

Anything else you'd like to add.

Enjoy the holidays!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Adding heat has always been a controversial subject, some people are totally against adding heat, others use it regularly. It's definitely a personal decision. Adding heat does not necessarily equate to using a heat lamp, there are lots of other ways to heat a coop or a single bird that is totally safe and will not burn a coop down.

I have found in my flocks over the years there are definitely times when heat is needed. Chickens can and do indeed get cold at times, whether or not they need a heat relies intirely on our ability to decern their needs. Some flocks can tolerate frigid temps well below zero and others get chilled at 20F. Health and age of the flock plays a huge part as to how well they tolerate the cold. Sick birds can and do die in frigid cold temps.

I have rarely added heat to the entire coop all night long, even turning on a panel heater when it's -5F can have birds getting off the roost bars and seeking out cooler spots in the coop at night. A healthy bird can adapt to any environmental temp over time.

Very young birds, weak or sick birds, molting birds that are shivering and senior birds can all use a dose of heat at times, especially the senior birds. I have kept several birds aged well into their teens and I have learned that without heat, they will freeze to death and die. Like an old person, they lose muscle mass, muscles generate heat, old birds become quite thin. All my old birds starting around the age of 8 had to be watched, adding heat when temps were in the 20s. By the time they reached the age of 10, the temp tolerance was in the low 30s. Hens in their teens couldn't tolerate temps below 40F. Never ignore your senior birds, they need special attention as they age and adding heat will allow them to live a lot healthier and happier as they age.

I really appreciate your rational response on the subject. Not everything is black and white sometimes gray is the color that works best. Same with heat. The need is completely situational and everyone has different factors that they need to consider. I didn’t use heat in the past even when it was subzero, but this year I ordered a surprise chick box not thinking and ended up with some frizzles. I purchased overhead heat plates that I have on hand if I need them. I plan to leave them off unless I see signs that I need to turn them on. Not to mention some of my hens are getting in the older category so if I don’t use the plates this year I have them for the senior hens if they ever need them.

 

[chickachicka12345]

• What’s your take on using heat lamps or other heaters in the coop?

They should have heat lamps or heaters in the coop if you are in a super super super cold place : ). Other than that don't put it in the coop if the birds are fully feathered. I do use heated water because I don't have time everyday to do it. (I have 3 coops).

• Have you had any safety concerns or incidents related to heat sources?

My neighbor's coop actually burnt down due to a heat lamp. So I only use plates now.

• What are alternative ways you keep the coop warm without using electrical heat?

Close windows, have a wind blockage to the door outside, lots of shavings and you can add hay if the chickens like that sort of thing!

• How do you ensure your chickens acclimate properly to the cold?

I know that they are good because all of my non show chickens are older (3-5) so they know about winter. My silkie show chickens are inside 24/7 in a large coop so they are good. My wyandotte show chickens go outside, but for the first few days of winter I close their door so they can get ready for the cold.

is your neighbors chickens ok?