With any light bulb above 100w be sure that you use a ceramic socket to screw it into any other will overheat and might cause a fire.

I have a 24'x32' insulated garage and use one 250w heat lamp bulb and it is consistently above +36F in there on the coldest days.

Monitor your temps and don't let it rise too much above +40F this could trigger an early molt in you flock and loose some during a power outage during a low temperature period.

Sounds like a good plan you have going, good luck.

Thanks for the info Seramas! The heat lamp will be turned on at night only when it gets cold enough to give my rooster frostbite, approx -5 Faren. and colder. I don't think they will need it at any other time, so its not going to get that warm in there.

You can get a heat lamp fixture at the hardware store where the work lights are. They're under $10 and, in my opinion, worth it. Hang it where the chickens roost, but make sure it's above their head height. I hung mine about an inch too low at the beginning of this cold and a couple of the hens singed their head feathers! Also, I think it's a good idea to use wire to attach it securely to the chain -- those S hooks aren't safe if the lamp should be bumped, it could fall down and start a fire.

When I go to the barn in the morning, the chickens are all huddled under the lamp, but once they get going in the morning they spend the day walking around their pen. It gives them the option of warming up if they feel the need.

--Johanna
brrrrrrrr

Here is a link that might be useful: My place: Busy Solitude Farm

I have a light fixture built into the ceiling, 2 of them actually. They came with the shed. They both work well. The wiring is all behind walls and built in out there. It has been very handy! I have one 100 watt reg bulb and the heat lamp bulb in the two fixtures. The 100 watt reg bulb is on during the daytime, at least while they are shut inside. I will uncover the windows in the warmer weather.

The light fixtures are about 4-5 ft above their heads, while roosting.