Will the red lamp hurt 27/7?

[addiedunn]

Here is what I have...A brooder (red) lamp in the corner of the coop to keep the water from freezing and help keep the birds warm, which I now know I don't have to do from reading abou this subject on this site. I have left it unplugged all week. But now we are going to have some single digit temps for a dew days and wonder if having it on all the time for a few days here and a few days there will really mess them up? I don't have a timer. I don't care about egg production right now. And from reading others' posts, am I to understand that the red light doesn't affect them like the white light?

They get out every day if they chose. Two always do and the other two never do.

 

[JennsPeeps]

We had a red lamp on for a few days and egg production was unchanged.

 

[wings]

I live in Massachusetts and have a few handy things for winter. One is a water heater. You plug it in, and it acts as a base for their waterer. When it gets below 32 degrees, it turns on and keeps the water from freezing. I have found it handy because I don't have to think about their water.
Also, make sure they have lots of roosting space. That way, they can fluff out and keep themselves warm.
I used to worry about my chickens at night, but I realized that they are a lot more hardy than what they get credit for. My advice is when the temperature gets below 20 degrees and windy, turn the light on.
I just lost a pullet to prolapse and I'm not sure if it was because the red light was on every night before that. I don't know. I would just try to limit the light to as little as possible.

Good luck!

 

[RockyToggRanch]

My red light is on 24/7 and no problems. I bought a second one in case I need it this week. It's supposed to stay below zero for several days.

 

[Splash_Guard]

It stays in the single digits here most of the winter, the red light does not affect them. Add a 60 watt, full spectrum white light if you care about egg production.

 

[jvls1942]

red light does not hurt anything 24/7 (even 27/7)

what the red light is supposed to do is to kee very young chickens from peckng at each other, espcially if there is blood present..

 

[addiedunn]

Thanks for all of the replies. I was worried about the inconsistency. But it's supposed to be really cold the next few says around here so I'll turn it back on for them. I put a splash of wine in the 2 gallon water can, too. That should help keep their water from freezing.

You all are the best!

 

[Nif]

I agree with the others, I have kept a red light on during cold months 24/7, they never seem affected. I even left my white light on for a night or 2 this year when it was 0 degrees, but the red light is great...it was my old snake light.
That is why they make it red, for the heat without the brightness.
I have a base warmer too, for the water, and it is a great thing to have!

 

[NYREDS]

Here where the day is only 24 hours it's not a problem. Don't know much about 27 hour days though.