First winter with chickens

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harleyjo

harleyjo

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How cold can chickens tolerate? All of my chickens are heavy breed. I also have a few muscovy ducks. Just how warm do I need to keep the coop?
 
Hey if you follow the two pages listed you can't go wrong
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I'm in the great white north and have know issues and very happy chickens
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Blessings,
 
you can always use a heat lamp from time to time, to keep it a bit toasty warm in there for them.
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The listed pages are great....tell you pretty well all you need to know.

In winter an old blanket over the top and regularly changed cardboard on the floor are cheap ways to help to keep the birds warm at night.

Sandie
 
Like the others aid, chck out those tow pages.

ALSO: You may need a heated waterer or heated base to put your metal waterer on. So their water does not freeze. I use a heated dogs dish.

If you have any roosters, you may need to rub vaseline on the combs if you hit a really cold streak. This keeps the comb from getting frost bitten.

I am in Michigan and my birds do just fine.
 
Last winter I had 3 red sex link hens in a metal shed.I added bales of straw inside and a deep layer of pine shavings.Every AM I took out warm water and two jugs of hot water.Did the same in the afternoon. They made it well through the winter and even gave me 2-3 eggs a day! Now I have 8 hens and the big issue will be boredom and crowding.
 
This is also the first year with chickens thru the winter. I read in a book that i have that you can keep it warmer in the coop by adding hay, dirt, compost, or shavings to the outside of the North side of the chicken coop. This will keep it more insulated and that there should be no cool drafts, as well. Wish you well for the winter months ahead. I was wondering does anyone know how cold, cold is for chickens. I live in Washington, for the most part winters are mild and remain at or above freezing. Thank you, Robin
 
Timely post - Do you open your coop up during the day in the winter? We get temps into the teens and snow. I'm not sure if I leave the gals in the coop or open it up.

We had highs in the upper 50's yesterday with rain. The gals hung out under the coop (fairly dry & protected with food and water) but didn't seem to know to go into the coop where it is warmer and dryer.

I have a piece of plywood on the left side of the opening under the coop. It is raised about 20".
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