Where should I put a heat light?

[wegotchickens]

If you use something to keep them warm, and they bump into it, will they get burned?
Ceramic element as well as lightbulb?
We have a tractor, so low ceiling. Worried that in trying to keep them warm I may harm them instead. Was hoping that ceramic 'bulb' was less of a threat than bulbs?

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

Thanks again for the replies ! Great Information

We havnt set up the heat light yet.I plan on just getting it ready for the cold months of Jan and Feb . Their roosts are square but maybe I'll get some old 2 x 4's in there so they can really tuck their feet under.
I was wondering how far the heat light should be from them ? thanks again

 

[karen]

What is the ideal temperature for the girls and boy(s)?
We are planning on putting a thermostat in the coop for the heat-
But when I ask my chickens what temp they prefer ---I get no answer!

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

Hahahha Maybe their to cold hahaha!
No really, I have placed a temperature gage at the same height as the roost .It really warms up in there during the day I have noticed.....
But I am so new at this ...I have never gone through a winter with them..... from what I understand they have to toughen up and get use to the colder weather as long as they 're out of drafts....But when the cold nights come I want to be ready for them .....the kinda cold nights when the car doesnt start in the morning ...and the kids are sitting by the radio preying the school buses are not running.....hahahha!!!

 

[mamaboyd]

I'm in the same situation as you 2468chickensrgr8!! First winter with the girls and our Ontario winters can get pretty chilly. Gathering all the info I can get from BYC, that's for sure!

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

Hahaha It's like having babies again !!!! worry worry worry! ...

 

[gardener]

Quote:
Check out the reptile section in a pet store. they have black, red and blue lights in a wide range of wattages. Same with ceramic heat emitters. Only thing is they are more expensive (2-4x more) than getting a 250w brooder lamp at the feed store.

 

[jubylives]

If you have a low ceiling then perhaps you could wrap chicken wire around the shroud to keep them from touching the bulb. Remember that the red bulbs are fragile. Found that out the other day. I just tapped it on the door jam walking out of the shed and BAM!! A kazillion pieces.

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

What a great idea ! Jubylives !

I will have to get that done first.....Where do you put your heat light? closer to the ceiling in the centre or hanging over the roost ? I have six girls and its about 6ft-7ft high in the coop ? Does it have to be close to them or would the light just be used to bring the temps up a little in the coop......Merci

 

[dreamgirl]

I have a coop like 2468's; 8'x8' by 7-8' tall, and was also wondering were to put the heat lamp and when to start using it. We're already down in the 20's at night (Columbia Cty, NY) and I've just been feeding some scratch before bed (corn raises their body temp).

With the brooder, 24" over a partially confined space in a 60 deg room brought it to the 70's so I guess 2-3 feet might work to keep it above 32. My other concern was that the lower the light, the less space it will cover and the poor girls on the outskirts will still be cold...

I also read (Storey's I think) one thing those of us with high roofs can do it to lower the ceiling by creating a false ceiling about 2 feet about the highest perch by attaching plastic to the walls. This supposedly traps the chix own heat and lets them warm themselves.