Warmth in winter

[SANDSZOO]

Hello, I am new to the site. I am in Michigan. Should my birds have a lamp for light a heat during the winter?
Thank you
Stacey

 

[ARose4Heaven]

Are they young birds? Fully feathered adult birds can endure a LOT of cold without heat. The main thing is no drafts and low humidity. Proper ventilation is the key. The dryer the coop, the better. My hens live in cold, snowy Iowa winters without heat. They have an unheated, uninsulated coop.

 

[clairabean]

I agree with ARose. I am up in BC, Canada with harsh winters and no heat in my coop. I do have a light, but only because it gets dark at 3pm.

I guess it gives off a bit of heat, but... not much.

 

[SANDSZOO]

Hello, My birds are all grown ups. Thank you for your help.

Stacey

 

[elmo]

Quote:
The only other question that's important is what temperature are they used to? For example, if you buy birds from someplace with mild winters and ship them into a Michigan winter, that's a real shock. But adult birds that have been acclimated to the climate should be able to manage fine with a dry, draft free but adequately ventilated shelter.

 

[NFlaGator]

So this may be a stupid question, but at what age is a chicken considered fully feathered (or an adult), does it matter what breed?

 

[SANDSZOO]

Hello,
I was told they are "Easter egg chickens", they do lay greenish eggs. They appear to do OK in the winter, I was curious if light was important.
Thank you for your help.
Stacey

 

[Sinfonian]

I suppose it is down to the comfort of the birds. They aren't comfortable below freezing, but the temp of the coop can be higher than the outside temps. Also, consider if you want your birds to continue laying like spring. If so, you would want their light and temperatures to be close to spring time. If you don't care if your birds follow their natural annual cycle, then keeping them above freezing is sufficient. Checking for black spots on their combs is also a good idea.