Chook Me!

Chicken coop for winter in Central MD?

I am interested in building a small chicken coop for 2-4 hens in the Baltimore,MD area. I have never done it before but am starting to read up on it. Would I need any artificial heating for them? Thanks, and any other advice/tip are greatly appreciated.

Public Comments

1. We had chickens when I was growing up in the Pacific NW. I assume the climate is similar, but I think it might get colder where you are. We never lost any chickens due to cold. We put out a lamp during the coldest parts of winter, it didn't give off a whole lot of heat, but it helped (I wouldn't use anything that might get knocked over and start a fire, like a space heater). However, we had about 20 chickens, so the body heat probably helped with the temperature as well. (A light in the hen-house will also encourage egg-laying during the winter months, when it tends to taper off). I have seen small chicken coops for sale that come with heated roosts. I have not tried them, but it sounds like it might help. I put the link below; I found the ad in MaryJanesFarm Magazine... I have my own house now and hope to get some chicks in the spring. I will probably just buy a shed kit and insulate it and put a large light inside in the winter.
2. A clamp lamp with a regular old 100 watt bulb will be sufficient. I keep my lamp suspended about a foot about the waterer, which keeps the water from freezing and gives the chickens a warm place to hang out when it's cold. For added insulation, I just use corrugated cardboard on the interior of the walls which works fantastic and is free.
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