Topic of the Week - Heat Sources: Yes or No?

[igorsMistress]

We do not add a heat source, but it rarely gets to freezing here and only for a short period of time. I do see my chickens snuggled together on the roost when it’s cold so I would heat the coop
if it was really cold here for an extended period of time.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

It got down to -15F here last night and is still about -5 now. I've always worried about a heat source being both a fire hazard and a possible risk for my hens' immune systems. One of my dad's friends had a flock that they heated the coop for. They all ended up with respiritory problems and died, and I've heard stories like this before. Apparently it's no good for them to have such a difference in the coop temp and outdoor temps.

We do have a fully insulated coop. Since this more extreme cold I've been bringing warm foods like oatmeal and soup broth out to the hens to drink a few times a day. Their heated waterer is having trouble keeping up, so this is hydration for them as well.

They do look cold out there, but I don't see anyone shivering a lot or anything. It's supposed to warm up tomorrow so I think I'll just keep up with what I've been doing.

 

[Krazikatlady64]

It has been cold for a few days now. Cold for us (South Carolina). We had snow yesterday afternoon/evening. It was 16F last night. I always thought the 3 hens and 1 Roo would do just fine. It's been down to 19 and they were fine. They're ok, but it made me rethink this whole cold issue.

In the morning, 1 hen (BR) was shivering, even though she snuggled next to her Roo all night. The Buff Orpington was on the rear roost, just behind (10"). Her comb was purple and I thought frost-bite. Rhode Island Red was by herself and seem to have cold feet. Roo, no issues. The hens are older almost 5. They warmed up by noonish.

I think it was too cold for too long and they were not able to warm up. We fight heat and humidity, not really cold weather. The coop didn't warm up during the day. Tonight I used 2 separate 100W reptile bulbs in the metal brooder fixtures. It gives just enough heat to keep the chill off. With my set up I could have used the red 250W, but they scare me. I've ordered a heat panel.

I think that if its under 20F I'll provide some heat to take off the chill. You just need to do whatever you think is best for your situation. Never had any issues before.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

We've had temps near zero in the mornings and it has not gotten up to freezing during the day in well over a week until today. My 8 x 10' coop is NOT insulated and has pretty good ventilation over the chickens' heads. It has no heat source. My chickens are one to three years old and are all doing fine. There is no water in the coop. Water is in electric buckets outside that do not freeze. I'm in SE MO and got 14 eggs from 20 layers today. I provide a couple of hours of supplemental light for a total of 12 hours of light daily. They're all healthy.