I did the twice-a-day watering during one winter when I was selling about 30 dozen eggs a week, and it didn't seem to affect the egg production. I was forced to do it because the new puppy decided he liked chewing on the extension cord that went over to the coop, the one that the waterer de-icer plugged into, so I had to 86 it and start packing water instead.
I now have a well-insulated coop so only use a heat lamp if the temperature outside is below about minus 15 C, and then just use it in the pens with the silkies and frizzles during the night. I have chosen breeds with combs that don't freeze, like the Chanties and the Ameraucanas, as I have been trying to get less labor-intensive in the winter. I use the 100-watt red floodlights when it's not too cold, but when it gets down into the lower sub-Zs, those 250-watt infrareds pack a punch, although the Hydro meter does tend to reflect that in a month!
Thanks for the tip on Princess Auto. I went all over Armstrong and Kamloops last week trying to find a red infrared replacement bulb for my frizzle chicks, and ended up having to buy a package of 2 for $24.99 at the feed store. Never thought about the Princess....
I now have a well-insulated coop so only use a heat lamp if the temperature outside is below about minus 15 C, and then just use it in the pens with the silkies and frizzles during the night. I have chosen breeds with combs that don't freeze, like the Chanties and the Ameraucanas, as I have been trying to get less labor-intensive in the winter. I use the 100-watt red floodlights when it's not too cold, but when it gets down into the lower sub-Zs, those 250-watt infrareds pack a punch, although the Hydro meter does tend to reflect that in a month!
Thanks for the tip on Princess Auto. I went all over Armstrong and Kamloops last week trying to find a red infrared replacement bulb for my frizzle chicks, and ended up having to buy a package of 2 for $24.99 at the feed store. Never thought about the Princess....
