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Barnyard Buddies:  Light for the girls...  |
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retasos2
True Blue Farmgirl
272 Posts
Pilar
Centereach
NY
USA
272 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 24 2011 : 4:33:25 PM
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Hello fellow farmgirls,
This is our first year with chickens and as the winter months are upon us, I need help deciding what kind of light is best (if any) for my 5 "girls". I have a heat lamp with bulb (from when they were chicks) that I can use in the coop, but I have hear that a ceramic buld would be best. I have read tons of conflicting info and would like to hear from the experts.
Thanks, Pilar
Pilar
Farmgirl Sister #2498
Little Hen House on the Island
" A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is, until she gets in hot water" Eleanore Roosevelt |
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Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2011 : 6:05:06 PM
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| I usally just use a plain old incandescant light bulb 60-75 watts. Last year when it gave out I didn't have anything but a flourecent bulb so I took it out and put it in and there it will stay until it burns out. Either one is fine, if you are wanting the light to keep them laying just make sure it is set up so they are getting 14 hours of light a day. I do see you are in NY and am thinking because of the cold maybe the flourecent might not handle it well. |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2011 : 6:26:12 PM
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I don't beleive in useing lights to un-naturaly force laying in the winter months, but I do use some heat and lots of insulation in the winter, if you must use some sort of light, make it a red heat lamp type light, and make sure it is enclosed in a wirebasket cage that your chickens can't get their heads thru, and make sure that nothing that gets hot, can get anywhere near anything flamable, coop fires are a tragedy...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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retasos2
True Blue Farmgirl
272 Posts
Pilar
Centereach
NY
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2011 : 05:44:35 AM
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I'm more concern with the cold than with forcing them to lay. I'm your typical paranoid first timer! Don't want to find either frozen/roasted chicken in the coop.
Pilar
Farmgirl Sister #2498
Little Hen House on the Island
" A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is, until she gets in hot water" Eleanore Roosevelt |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2011 : 06:21:16 AM
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if you are not forcing eggs then a heat lamp will do. i know n.y. gets very cold. is your coop insulated? chickens are pretty tough. i just awoke to 20 degrees this morning. i prefer warmer temps but darn here comes winter. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2011 : 08:48:38 AM
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try getting a reptile ceramic heat lamp...they are wonderful, a bit costly but mine have lasted over 2 winters & is in the coop now working since we are getting freezing nights......just make sure you get a ceramic connecter & don't put this lamp in the traditional chicken lights that have plastic around the area that holds the bulb unless you want it to completely melt & start a fire in the wiring of the lamp area or worse.....This works wonderful for me since i don't care if my hens lay during the winter...but I do use the natural UV lights sometimes when its so dark during the day & I worry about them not getting enough VIT D during the snowy times when they refuse to go out......to help insulate your coop go get some cheap plastic tarps & tack them good to the walls...this is a great wind bearer plus makes sure the heat stays in the coop a bit longer.....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
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retasos2
True Blue Farmgirl
272 Posts
Pilar
Centereach
NY
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2011 : 09:13:57 AM
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hubby is making glass windows for the coop and I plan on staking straw on the side that gets all the wind, plus plastic taps as well. Who knew that chickens turn sicty girls into chickens!
Pilar
Farmgirl Sister #2498
Little Hen House on the Island
" A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is, until she gets in hot water" Eleanore Roosevelt |
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Barnyard Buddies: Light for the girls... |
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Light for the girls...
