How to Use Red Heat Lamps for Poultry

Adult poultry often do not require additional heating in a coop if it is well insulated. When temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, frostbite can become a concern, especially in damp coops. The addition of a red heat lamp, especially at night, will keep the flock sufficiently warm. Red heat lamps provide a minimum amount of light as well as heat. This won't be enough light to disturb your poultry's sleep cycle.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 screw eyelets
  • Chain
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Pliers
  • Heat lamp fixture
  • 2 carabineers
  • Thermometer
  • Red heat lamp
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Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain a heat lamp fixture with a porcelain socket and a hook for hanging the lamp.

    • 2

      Screw two, large eyelets high on the opposite walls of the coop.

    • 3

      Fold your chain in half. Open the middle link using the needle-nose pliers and the regular pliers. Split the chain into two by slipping a link free. Open the last link on the second chain.

    • 4

      Hang a length of chain from each wall of the coop by slipping the opened link through the eyelet.

    • 5

      Determine how low you want the light to hang. This will depend on the size of your poultry. You want the light to be 6 inches over the tallest bird.

    • 6

      Attach two carabineers through the loop. Gather both chains in your hand and hold the lamp's hanger at the desired height. Attach one carabineer to each chain.

    • 7

      Remove all but 6 inches of excess chain by opening a link.

    • 8

      Plug in red heat lamp.

    • 9

      Attach a thermometer to a nearby wall to monitor the temperature in the coop. You want the temperature to stay above 20 degrees to prevent frostbite but not much warmer as most adult poultry are cold-hardy.

    • 10

      Hang two heat lamps 18 inches above the top of the litter when using in a brooder.

    • 11

      Keep young poultry at 90 degrees when first hatched. Reduce the temperature by 5 degrees every week by increasing ventilation or elevating the heat lamps further away from the litter.