To Heat or Not to Heat the Chicken Coop? That is the Question!

This is a very controversial topic.

We personally do not heat my coop through the winter as a rule. BUT once in a while there can be exceptions when there are some really cold nights......

When I say really cold nights, I refer to -15/-20 lows plus windchills overnight.

Most nights in the winter, it is not necessary to add heat as chickens are built completely different than us. Their body temperature is 107 degrees fahrenheit and they are wearing down jackets.

They keep themselves warm by consuming more chicken feed. Their chicken feed is a form of heat. The more chicken feed they eat, the more calories they burn, which in turn warms their bodies.

Please do not feed your chickens scratch or cracked corn. They are just empty calories and complete carbs. There is no nutritional value and will just make your chickens obese.

When chickens become over weight, that is when all the health issues start. You can not tell when a chicken is fat just by looking at them. The first place fat accumulates is around their liver, a health issue called Fatty Liver Disease.

If you want to read more about Fatty Liver Disease or other health issues, refer to my other Blog- Diet and Health of Laying Hens.

When we need to heat the coops on very cold nights, there are safe ways to do it. A heat lamp is not one of them.

If you do choose to heat the coop and you feel that it is completely necessary. I am not writing this blog to say "yes heat your chicken coop" that's not it. I'm simply saying there are safe ways to go about it, if you choose to.

Many people use heat lamps. However, the fact that companies produce heat lamps for retail doesn't mean it's safe to use them.

When we know better, we do better.

As consumers, we need to be informed and understand certain products. Those who don't recognize the risks and continue buying heat lamps are the ones sustaining these companies. They will keep producing them as long as we keep buying them.

Heat lamps pose significant dangers when used to provide warmth for animals or chickens. Regardless of how securely they are installed, chickens can fly, and it wouldn't take much for them to reach a 250 Watt heat bulb, which can reach temperatures around 500 degrees. Such a hot bulb could shatter, sending glass fragments throughout the coop. It wouldn't take much to ignite the bedding, especially depending on the type of litter used.

Please avoid using heat lamps.

If you decide you must use a heat source, there are safer options available. I bring this up because I understand some people will choose to heat their coop, even if it's not needed.

If you opt for this, here's a safer method to consider.

Understanding Oil Filled Electric Heaters

Oil filled electric heaters operate by heating oil contained in a sealed reservoir. As the oil heats up, the device radiates warmth into the surrounding area. These heaters are popular for their ability to maintain consistent warmth without generating direst heat like more traditional space heaters. This feature significantly lowers the risk of overheating, making them a better choice if you absolutely have to add some heat to your coop.

*Please Note- If choosing to add a bit of extra heat, do not heat the coop enough to make it comfortable for you. Chickens can handle temperatures in the minuses. They are built for colder temperatures. The warmer you make the inside of the coop, the harder it is for the birds to acclimate to the temperature in their run.

We keep a thermometer in the coop, which helps to know the inside temperature.

When we choose to add a bit of warmth, we keep the inside of the chicken coop around -3 or even colder sometimes. Depending on the overnight low outside temperatures, it will affect the temperatures in the coop. We adjust the heater accordingly and generally it is kept on the lower setting, you do not want the inside temperature of the coop to be +10 when its -20 outside. That is hard on the chickens trying to acclimate themselves.

Safety Considerations When Using Heaters in Chicken Coops

While oil filled electric heaters are generally safer than other heating options, proper precautions are vital:

1. Placement: Position your heater away from flammable materials, like pine shavings. A corner of the coop that has a bit of room around it, not touching objects.

2. Protection: Establish a protective barrier using heat-resistant materials around the heater.

3. Electrical Safety: Ensure the electrical system in your coop can handle the heater's power needs.

4. Automatic Shut -off Features: Select a unit featuring an automatic shut-off mechanism in case of overheating.

If you ever have a frostbite issue with any of your birds, leave it be, it is considered a cold burn and is very painful. If you choose, you can give the bird half of an adult aspirin for a couple days for pain. They will gobble it up with a hand full of chicken feed. What you do want to do to help them is actually turn the temperature up in the coop, just hovering around the 0 degree mark or even plus 1.This is more helpful than applying something to the frostbite. If there is oozing and open sores, apply a antibiotic spray to the area for a day or two until scabbed over.

We do offer a product to help prevent frostbite. Chick' N Balm.

*Helps maintain the health of leg scales (treats scaly leg mites), foot and comb by emolliating the skin.

To keep the skin of the legs, foot and comb soft and supple during cold periods.

Chick N' Balm

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Feel free to contact us personally if you have any questions or you can leave a comment below.

This is the Oil Filled Radiator Heater we purchased for our coop.

The most secure choice if you're looking to increase the temperature by a few degrees.

Standard heaters contain heating coils, and since chickens constantly shed feathers, they produce a lot of dust. This dust can quickly be drawn into the heater, potentially creating a fire hazard over time.

For those particularly cold nights, if you decide to raise the temperature in your chicken coop by a few degrees, this is the safest method to employ.