| Author |
Barnyard Buddies:  How cold is too cold?  |
|
|
farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 02 2010 : 06:04:58 AM
|
For those of you who have heat lamps for your adult chickens, at what point do you turn them on? We are wintering over 14 birds in a 70 sq ft. coop in MN. I've had everyone tell me "oh my gosh turn it on now!" at 20 degrees, other people tell me it doesn't need to be turned on until below zero, and yet other people tell me chickens don't need a heat lamp ever unless they are babies, even at -40. Thoughts??
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
|
|
4HMom
True Blue Farmgirl
720 Posts
Kelly
Montana
720 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2010 : 06:59:52 AM
|
I don't turn my heat lamp on until it gets to zero. We also have breeds that are hardy (Buff Orpingtons and Plymouth Barred Rock). We have a token rose-breasted leghorn and an Americana, and they've done fine in our northwest Montana winters for years. Good luck.
"Women are angels...and if someone breaks our wings...we fly on our brooms...we're flexible like that!" -Unknown |
 |
|
|
sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2010 : 07:27:19 AM
|
howdy amy, i am in the high desert of oregon. i only do a heat lamp when it is minus degrees. they are in a insulated coop. chickens put out between 3 and 4 btus of heat. they are very hardy. i do use a regular light bulb 60 watt that is on for over 17 hours to stimulate spring day length. it helps them keep laying. hope this helps happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
|
|
|
windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4538 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4538 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2010 : 05:10:56 AM
|
I have never used a heat lamp for my hens. I do keep a light on, but that is it. My coop does have all windows on the south side, so they do warm up very well on sunny days. I keep plenty of clean straw in their coop, and have a heater for their waterer.
Michele |
|
|
|
farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2010 : 05:37:02 AM
|
Thanks ladies! I have another question. Our chickens free range - is there a point where we shouldn't be letting them out of the coop anymore (weather wise?) We have the coop, a fenced area off the coop, and then the giant yard. I have a friend here, who when it hits December, she closes up her (giant) barn and doesn't let the chickens out again until spring. What are your thoughts on the chickens being out in the giant yard, just being let out in the their fenced area, or not being let out at all? And does that change when I should be putting on a heat lamp (as in, if the coop door is open and the barn is cooling down everyday, should I be turning on the heat lamp more often?) Or should I not be letting the birds out at all?
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2010 : 06:39:57 AM
|
amy my girls are out all winter. i have a big yard for them too. if its too cold they stay in. they come out in snow and walk around in it. i never have had a problem. a concern would be a hungry hawk or owl. just a thought sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
|
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2010 : 10:53:37 AM
|
Amy, I have never used a heat lamp for adult birds. All mine roost on the fence and in the trees. There are about 8 of the Buffs that out in the open on the fence. They get soaked in the rain and have snow on them when it snows. I don't know how they made it through that horrible storm we had last week. Crazy birds. And right next to them is a nice warm dry barn. So I don't worry about them. I guess with all those feathers they are warm enough. I also give them scratch with has lots of corn in it at night before they go to roost. I heard corn keeps them warm. So try doing that before they go to bed. And we have had some bone chillin' freezin' cold winters here the past few years too. Almost like way up there.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
|
|
|
windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4538 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4538 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2010 : 4:02:57 PM
|
I leave my coop door open on nice daysiin the winter, and let the ladies out all day. At night they are always locked up tight. they love to eat snow too!
Michele |
|
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2010 : 4:10:41 PM
|
Ijust got done putting plastic on the turkey coop and the momma and chickie coop. The turkeys wouldn't even go outside while I was putting it up. I will worry more about them than any of the others. The momma hens will keep the chicks warm but the plastic will help alot. It's really going to get cold the next few nights. I have a heat lamp in the garage for my dogs and cats to keep warm. I also put up plastic in the goat barn so they will be warmer too. So I am all winterized now.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
|
|
|
Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2010 : 03:29:18 AM
|
We bed our coop down heavily with about 3 bales of pine shavings but continue to let them free range during the day.
This really helps especially if it has rained or snowed and melted and keeps the muddy foot traffic from making a mess on what eggs that are laid.
Don't forget, if it gets really bitterly cold and if you can get hands on your flock, put a nice layer of vaseline on combs and wattles to prevent frostbite |
|
|
|
SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2010 : 07:17:22 AM
|
it's amazing when it's so cold to feel deep inside their feathers and to see how warm it is.
Reminder, however, check for eggs a couple times a day when it's super cold, because they will freeze and crack the shell if too long in very low temps |
|
|
| |
Barnyard Buddies: How cold is too cold? |
|
How cold is too cold?
