Wisconsin Winters . . . heat lamp or not?

[True Grit]

It is a beautiful coop and run. Have you thought about a panel heater or oil filled? I don't know much about them but I bet the temp is more controllable with them than a heat lamp.

 

[HarryBun12]

I'm in WI, too. Last year was my first winter with my chickens and I didn't have any problems. I used a heated dog dish for water and had a flat panel heater fastened to the wall for the coldest days. My coop is almost the same size as yours so the flat panel heater was just enough to take the edge off of the freezing temps. I keep their food and water out in the run so I didn't bother with a light in the coop and gave the girls a break. My RSL kept laying though! The thing that really helped with the snow is I fastened heavy clear plastic sheeting around the run most of the way up. (I also have a roof over the run) Very little snow got in but there was still ventilation, plus it was always a bit warmer in the run that way. I was so nervous before winter set in as to how the birds would do and they did just fine. Better than I did!

 

[teach1rusl]

You're right...you will get a HUGE range of responses on this one. I DO use a heatlamp in the winter time (my coop is insulated). Some folks will ramble on about how it's not good for them, bla bla bla... That might be true if they were going from a balmy 80 degrees out into 15 degree temps, but nobody I know does that. Even with insulation, the highest I remember it getting in my coop last winter at night time was the high 30s (my goal was to keep it above freezing). My dogs and cats go from 75 degrees (in my house) to 15 with no problems, so I figure a chicken can handle going from 35 to 15...lol. Some folks will ALSO mention that they had a few little issues with frostbite on combs or toes, but it was really not a big deal. It WOULD be a big deal for me though, if one of my birds ended up with frostbite.
HOWEVER, I would be hesitant about using a heatlamp in a small coop, just because it doesn't give a lot of clearance for safety. Is your electric water heater going to be inside or out? Because that would put off a little heat I'd think. I used a homemade clay flowerpot water heater last winter, and tried it in a small temporary coop I'd make...it made a huge difference in the temperature in there...enough that I had to go down to a 40W bulb from a 60. It sounds as if you have a good plan in place for winter time. Your windows will help a lot too. Maybe next summer, after you make it through this winter, you can add some foam insulation to your coop??? It really does ease your mind.

 

[wiss0023]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond . . . some really good ideas here, I really like the idea of adding a flat panel heater. Enough warmth to take the bite off. If anyone has a suggestion where I can find one, that would also be appreciated. I was just bragging to my sisters how nice it is to have a forum like this where you can just spit out a question any time of day and a diverse, thoughtful & knowledgeable group of people take the time to respond and give you some really great advice. Hats off to you! Thank you!

 

[DaniLovesChickens]

Whether or not you give them light is up to you. There are no ill effects. They will lay a certain number of eggs only. They lay them now or later. You also have to consider how long they live. Yes, we have the light on a timer. With the interior of your coop being so small, I would be worried about a heat light. Another heat source might work, but I don't know anything about that.

We got the timer at Home Depot. I totally agree with giving them scratch!! They are pretty mad at me when they don't get it anymore in the Spring anymore though.

It's good to give them a little at night or even a little on those really cold days (those ones that only us "Northerners" have.)

This is a great place to find out info, isn't it? It's great when you feel like you've helped someone too! Most people just look at me like I'm crazy when I talk about a "chicken forum" with tens of thousands of chicken owners as members. But, then again, that's the way they look at me (the "Chicken Lady") just for talking about my chickens.