How to Use a Brooder Lamp to Heat a Chicken House

Raising chickens has been an important part of human society for centuries. Prized for their meat, eggs and feathers, chickens remain a popular commodity for farmers around the world. Chickens are fairly low maintenance, although they do require a stable heat source in cold climates. Brooder lamps portable and easy to use, making them a good choice for heating moderately sized chicken houses.

Things You'll Need

  • Brooder lamps
  • Wire
  • Wire cutters
  • Power strip
  • Heavy extension cord
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine how many brooder lamps you will need for your chicken house. Each lamp can effectively warm an area of approximately 3 square feet, so purchase as many lamps as necessary to reach all corners of your house.

    • 2

      Trim a section of wire with your wire cutters and wrap it around the clamp on the end of your brooding lamps, hanging them out of reach of your chickens. You can hang the lamps from any elevated surface as long as your chickens cannot jump up and touch the lamps.

    • 3

      Wire your power strip to an area your chickens cannot reach, such as a rafter or support beam. Place it in a central location in your chicken house, so the cords to each of your lamps reach the plug ins on the strip.

    • 4

      Plug each of the lamps into your power strip. Select a strip that is designed for outdoor use and that will shut off in case the circuit becomes overloaded. This will prevent any shorts and fires that could occur if the strip becomes too hot.

    • 5

      Unroll your extension cord, plugging the male end into your main power source and the female end into your power strip. Check each of your lamps to make sure the bulbs are in working order and that the lamps are putting out heat before introducing your chickens to their new home.