My barred rock Henrietta laid through her first winter without a heat lamp, and I think the lamps are overrated

Harper Singh · 2026-10-13T23:45:04.370904+00:00

Everyone in my local chicken group in Boise keeps telling new folks to run a heat lamp from November through March, but I skipped it this year with my 4 hens and got 3 to 4 eggs a week straight through January. Last month it hit 11 degrees one night and Henrietta, my barred rock, just puffed up and sat on the roost like it was nothing. I do think deep bedding and a draft free coop matter way more than a red bulb, though I know folks with frizzles or silkies might not have the same luck. Has anyone else in a cold climate gone lamp free and had it backfire?

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My barred rock Henrietta laid through her first winter without a heat lamp, and I think the lamps are overrated | Backyard Chickens - The Community Guide