Do chickens need heat in winter?
My first winter with chickens I had several people tell me that my chickens would die without heat lamps
I was a mess
I am here to tell you
Your chickens do not need heat lamps during the winter!!
Your flock will actually be much healthier without them
They have thick feathers to keep them warm and their bodies will slowly adjust to the change in seasons
I know that a lot of us want to spoil our chickens and make them as comfortable as possible
We definitely fall into the crazy chicken people category
However, if you place a heat lamp in your coop they will become dependent on it
Which means if the power goes out during a nasty winter storm you may lose birds
This is due to the rapid change in temperature.
Heat lamps are also a fire hazard.
When do chickens need a heat lamp?
The only time I use any heat is with baby chicks.
Where I live it can get down to 10 degrees in the winter and my chickens do well, I have yet to loose one from cold weather
However, as with most things there are exceptions to every rule.
For example, if you have a breed of chicken that is more sensitive to cold and you live in Alaska it may be something to consider.
There are many other things you can do to help your chickens get through a long winter
How to Keep Your Chickens Warm All Winter Long:
Inspect your Coop
Keeping your chickens warm during the winter starts with their coop.
Give your coop a thorough cleaning and make sure it is in good working order
Check to make sure everything is
Water proof
While chickens are pretty hardy animals, being soaked on a cold winter night changes the game.
Chickens and water are not friends!!
Next, Seal up any cracks to prevent drafts
Chicken feed bags work amazing for this!!
Just be sure to replace them when needed.
I want you to be very carful!!
Do not seal up every inch of your coop, drafts are bad but ventilation is a must.
Proper ventilation keeps moisture out of your coop which in turn prevents a lot of health issues
You are having issues it is more likely to be moisture than the temperature outside
Be sure to add a
Thick Layer of Bedding
Wood shavings and straw are fantastic options.
Personally, I like to use both.
Fresh shavings smell sooo good and absorb the mess much better than straw.
So, I place a thick layer of shavings down first and a thick layer of straw on top
Research the deep litter method, it is a great way to create natural heat in your coop
BONUS!
You can use any soiled bedding in your garden!
Free Feed
Chickens burn a lot of energy staying warm
Having food available all of the time will give them the extra boost they need to stay happy, healthy and warm all winter long
If you are curious what it costs to free feed your chickens and ducks year round click here
Warm Water
On cold winter nights, many water buckets freeze.
If you want to spoil your chickens
Get a heated water bowl
or
Bring a milk jug full of hot water with you to help unfreeze any ice and give your chickens a nice warm drink
Create a Hen Highway
Which is just a fun way to say they need a path in the snow
Shovel a path through the snow and lay down some straw or shavings.
This gives their feet a nice break from the cold ground making a much happier chicken
In the end, what truly matters is that you are doing what is best for your chickens and checking in on them
If it means putting heat in the coop, giving them a sweater or letting them adjust on their own so be it.
I can do nothing but applaud your efforts
You got this!
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How about in Florida wjen the tempature can go fro 80° in the day and the drops to 30° at night. We have weird starts to our winters?
Hello Amy,
Great question! I think your chickens will do great in Florida without a heat lamp, we have days like that where I live as well.
Brittany