Which type of bulb to use for winter?

[MrChickenGuy]

I am currently in the process of finishing up my coop. Although I don't feel a heat lamp is necssary for where I live, I want to make my girls comfortable. Winters here can range anywhere from -5° at night to 30-35° during the day. Which isn't too bad compared to other locations. I know that for chicks a 250 Watt Red-light bulb is best. I am planning on installing a permanent fixture for the bulbs so that I can simply put bulbs in during the winter. So my question is which type of bulb would be best for my coop during winter, 125 Watt or 250 Watt? Red or White light?

Mainly I didn't know if 125 or 250 Watt would be the proper strength of heat for full-grown chickens in the Winter. The bulbs will be about 2-3 feet away from the chickens.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! There's no way that adult birds need a 250w bulb that close! Or at all, in Kentucky. If you have Silkies or Seramas, heat will be a very good idea; otherwise, probably not. There are two issues here, aside from the danger in having a heat lamp that close to the birds. A normal 40w or 60w white light on a timer to provide a total of 14 hours of light daily in winter will promote egg production over winter. A heated waterer in subfreezing weather is all you really need otherwise. I sometimes use a 175w red heat lamp over a waterer in very cold weather, both to keep the water liquid, and for some extra heat. If it's near zero. Good ventilation is very important, and extra heat is secondary. Mary

 

[MrChickenGuy]

Thank you! Now I know exactly what to do

 

[DanEP]

I live in western Ky and never provide heat for birds over 3 months old. Most chickens have more trouble with heat than cold. Even my leghorns due fine in the winter with no heat.