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

[Apis mellifera]

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

Keep breeds that are selected for extreme cold. Chanteclers never need a source of heat.

 

[Robert Kazlauski]

• 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.

Hi, Do you mean that you keep a chicken coop in your house with the silkies? Basement? I ask because my winters are cold and wonder about the feasibility of keeping 2 silkies indoors. Or is it crazy?

 

[902_Rooster]

I have it ready for if it drops below -15 but it goes out at -14 this is there 2nd winter they layed all through last as well

 

[902_Rooster]

Hi, Do you mean that you keep a chicken coop in your house with the silkies? Basement? I ask because my winters are cold and wonder about the feasibility of keeping 2 silkies indoors. Or is it crazy?

Them guys are tough -15 wouldn't be anything to them have a friend near me who has a few all doing great in the cold

 

[WoDia]

What’s your take on using heat lamps or other heaters in the coop?
There are certain situations where a heat source may be needed. But, I won’t use heat bulbs. I place (2) flat radiant heat panels inside each building. Flock members can decide if they want to cozy up to one for some warmth. In my opinion, the panels are a much safer option. The only issue I have with them is that I’ve found they can stop working after 1-2 winters. This year, I began using flat oil-filled heaters (I got the idea from @Debbie292d, who raises Silkies in Wisconsin— thanks Debbie!) in a few buildings. Properly mounted away from anything combustible, they work well to take the edge off in extreme cold.

Have you had any safety concerns or incidents related to heat sources?
Risk of fire is ALWAYS my biggest concern. In the beginning, I did what many others did— I tried heat lamps (mounted high, from the ceiling). One frozen morning, I discovered a bulb had exploded. There were shards of glass throughout the bedding. My HUGE worry was whether any chicken or turkey was cut or had ingested the glass. I immediately removed ALL heat bulbs and doubled-up on fresh bedding. It was a very anxiety-ridden several days, but my birds had no issues, fortunately. And, I managed to get them through frigid temperatures by learning to be quite creative with ways to keep them warmer. That was about 20 years ago, and I haven’t used a heat bulb since then.

What are alternative ways you keep the coop warm without using electrical heat?
I raise Seramas (and other bantams) who are much more susceptible to cold. My Serama Chateau is built to retain heat well into the lower teens, without using any heat sources. The key for my building is roofing tin on the ceiling and along one long wall, and plywood covering heavily-insulated walls. It really does work well for my tiny Seramas, Mille Fleur d’Uccles, Sebrights, bantam Silkies, Porcelain d’Anvers, OEGB, and hybrids. During the summer though, I have a window fan pulling air in one window, and a fan directly across pulling air out. That works well to keep the tin cool.

How do you ensure your chickens acclimate properly to the cold?
I monitor my flocks as they experience their autumn molts. Most acclimate well during the slow transition to cold. Those who get special attention (and are moved to a warmer area if needed) are any bird still molting and having difficulty staying warm. I definitely move my elderly birds to a warmer area as well.

 

[Big Ska Farm]

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

I don't use supplimental heat for my flock of seven birds. We had record setting -40°F day last year with many other days that were nearly as cold and the birds were fine. Chickens truly are built for it and IMHO supplimental heat is not necessary for healthy chickens.

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

No, but a heat lamp knocked over in a coop could easily result in fire. Of course if this occured at night with the coop door closed it would be catastrophic for the chickens, never mind the resulting loss of the coop.

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

I use the deep litter method. I've hear it said that the hemp bedding does help retain some heat or provide insulation. Again, I don't do anything to keep the coop warm. However when there is a deep snow it also provides an insulating layer on the roof.

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

They have that handled on their own for the most part. I have a heated one gallon drinker inside the coop as well as feed so if they decide it's to cold they have that inside. There are plenty of days where they stay inside. They have a wind break so when it is warm enough they can go outside. It is extreemly windy in this part of Montana so a wind break is a must. I also give scratch, meal worms and sunflower seeds in the afternoon as a calorie boost to give them a little extra nutrition to help with the cold.

I know opinions vary wildly on supplimental heat. My flock seems to be doing OK with none even in the very worst fridgid tempatures.

 

[Molly77]

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.

What would be the signs that you need added heat? I'm new to chicken keeping. Thank you.

 

[TwoCrows]

What would be the signs that you need added heat? I'm new to chicken keeping. Thank you.

If they are otherwise healthy and perk up in warmer temps....chickens will puff up when cold, become lethargic, won't get off the roost bar, feet become incredibly cold, shivering, aren't interested in eating, pale face and combs. (These are also signs of illness so with close observation of your birds daily, you should be able to tell whether or not they are cold.)

 

[aart]

What would be the signs that you need added heat? I'm new to chicken keeping. Thank you.

The technique I use is tossing a few treats out the ones that don't go for the treats are the ones to watch more closely.
This might not work well if you regularly toss treats, it works well here because it's a rare 'treat'(haha).

 

[MyFlockIsMyLife]

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 live in AZ and do use heat lamps in the winter. My initial flock was inherited and older, so I actually insulate the coop sides w a styrofoam-like insulation board from Home Depot and I add a heat lamp as well. My older birds can roost in the heat, and the younger ones tend to sleep above the lamp. Whether human/animal/avian, if you are used to heat- the 26°,32°, even 40° temps seem colder.