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I agree with Jody and others in this post. If you are worried about the cold remember they need to be out of drafts and have some litter to snuggle into. Also they huddle and share body heat.
Feeding the birds some cracked corn (I keep mine in the hen house in winter and offer it just before roosting time) helps to raise their body temps adding to their ability to stay warm.
I have read some research and other written materials that suggest a fully grown and feathered chicken can generate up to 8 BTU's of heat per hour per chicken. That is a lot of heat in a properly maintained housing structure.
I would not worry about the birds if they have a good house without drafts.
Think about this also - How did people raise flocks BEFORE there was electricity?
Chickens are hearty and can survive well if we remember they are naturally equiped to handle the elements providing that we, as the caretakers, do our job to help them without going overboard and actually harming them with too much of a good thing.
My chickens are among some of the most spoiled when it comes to their coop, runs, feeds, etc. I keep them healthy and they are working pets for us providing meat and eggs. There is a time when we step back and the animals have to do their taking care of themselves, too.
I was accused of being argumentative in a similar post for my views. I hope everyone will see it is passing on of good info to help protect your flocks in the long run.
I do like the water heater idea. Those things can be expensive! When the weather is bitterly cold I do hang a red heat lamp over the galvanized waterers. It is to help the water flow not really for the birds. It is set on a timer to come on during the coldest hours and to cycle off and on a few times in the night.
