When to start heaters and heat lamps??

[Vicker]

I don't know how hardy silkies are, but fully feathered chickens of other breeds can do well in open air coops without supplemental heat in the winter. Ventilation is the key--don't have them closed up so tight that condensation forms inside the coop and on their combs.

 

[WindingRoad]

We live in Minnesota and never put heat in our chicken coop in the winter. They need to grow extra feathers to keep warm, which they wouldn’t do if they had constant heat. If our electricity were to go out it could be fatal for our chickens, or at the very least they would suffer considerably.

On the coldest of days we leave them closed up in their coop and give them treats such as warm oatmeal and extra protein.

Those birds are probably growing their down coat in the air-conditioning. OK enough to that I'm outta here. LOL

I install my heat lamps so that it is ready for those really cold day or weeks where we are -20F. Otherwise, I don't use a heat lamp.

OMG fried chicken