-32 degrees actual temperature is not too cold - see pictures

[Shadrach]

With the last cold snap, a lot of people posted "WHAT IS TOO COLD. A couple of points, cause we all tend to think of our own set up when we consider this.

• SD is pretty arid
• I have a shed type coop
• I have created out door in the run wind breaks that act as sun porches with some old shower doors and plexiglass, it is often quite a bit warmer in there.

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If my memory serves me your chickens don't live much past 4 years old so I'm going to assume these are young birds (?)
When I was in my twenties and traveling I would quite happily brave -15C and below if the air was dry and I was out of the wind even though the temperatures I normally lived in were in general above freezing. I was cold and my brain and body did all those things that it does when one is cold but I would go out in such temperatures.
Just because a creature goes out in such temperatures doesn't mean they are comfortable. I very much doubt that a middle aged chicken would leave the coop unless absolutely necessary in those temperatures. An elderly chicken would probably die.

 

[Mrs. K]

Well Mrs. Feathers is going 5. She is my oldest and she is out there. My chickens are set up with the choice of going in or going out - I don't MAKE them go out.

I have wondered if cold weather ages them fasters, as I will admit that I have never had a 6 year old hen... but then again, I don't really want a flock of old hens.

But my point is, they are not dying due to the cold. They really do not seemed phased by it. A lot of people are worried that they are going to go out to frozen birds. They won't.

Mrs K

 

[GoodLifeFarm]

With the last cold snap, a lot of people posted "WHAT IS TOO COLD. A couple of points, cause we all tend to think of our own set up when we consider this.

• SD is pretty arid
• I have a shed type coop
• I have created out door in the run wind breaks that act as sun porches with some old shower doors and plexiglass, it is often quite a bit warmer in there.

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Thank you so much for the ideas and including pictures!!!

I'm in Nebraska and it's been below zero for an extended time, with more snow coming I've been worried about my girls but they're still laying too so they must not be too stressed! I'd like to have them not so cooped up.

 

[Charlene W]

Just today, it’s 14 degrees where I live here in Ohio. I was watching the wild birds outside the kitchen window eating their seeds and thinking of how truly amazing they are to be able to handle such a temperature.

I see the wild birds out front in OK during the cold spell we just had. They become lowriders. Sit on their legs and feet while they eat. Smart. We locked the chickens in the barn since they can't find anything to scratch at in the snow anyway and weren't coming out. I did spoil them on the coldest day with a space heater in case, and they have an electric water system to keep it from freezing when needed.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

Thank you! Stay safe as well. I really really don’t like using any heat that’s a fire risk (like the heat bulbs), but I’m a chicken mama that worries about her flock. So, I researched the flat-panel radiant heaters, liked what I read, and now I have 2 in each of the main buildings for my standard chickens and turkeys. And, I have 2 in the quail building. The good things about them: energy efficient, safer option, and they only heat the immediate area around the panels, so the chickens can decide if they want to cozy up to them or not. The Serama/bantam building has a wall-mounted heater with auto temperature control and overheat automatic shutoff protection (I clean the filter 2+ times a day). That building stays at 40+ degrees. Let me know what you decided about the panels.

I went to Tractor Supply and got a heating panel! I'm not sure if its the same brand you have, but i'm going to go out there and set it up this afternoon. I set it up inside just to test it, and its a bit hot to the touch, but I think the bantams would have to snuggle up to it to get warm. I still think i might set it up and, after they roost, move them close to it. The wall mounted heater you have sounds great! It was around 20 in the coop last night. I'd like to get it a bit warmer, but we have ventilation up top and i wonder if any heat would escape. My little porcelain d uccle was shivering this afternoon and one foot raised. I might bring her inside a few hours..

 

[WoDia]

I see the wild birds out front in OK during the cold spell we just had. They become lowriders. Sit on their legs and feet while they eat. Smart. We locked the chickens in the barn since they can't find anything to scratch at in the snow anyway and weren't coming out. I did spoil them on the coldest day with a space heater in case, and they have an electric water system to keep it from freezing when needed.

Every morning, I see the wild birds in the bushes… I joke that they’re waiting for me to give them breakfast. It’s cool to see all of the different types there waiting. It sounds like your chickens are cozy. Mine have been content to stay inside as well. The days will be getting a little warmer in the coming week (so happy about that). During the freeze, I’ve been checking on the flocks extra (including going out late in the evenings). I love those little floof balls.

 

[WoDia]

I went to Tractor Supply and got a heating panel! I'm not sure if its the same brand you have, but i'm going to go out there and set it up this afternoon. I set it up inside just to test it, and its a bit hot to the touch, but I think the bantams would have to snuggle up to it to get warm. I still think i might set it up and, after they roost, move them close to it. The wall mounted heater you have sounds great! It was around 20 in the coop last night. I'd like to get it a bit warmer, but we have ventilation up top and i wonder if any heat would escape. My little porcelain d uccle was shivering this afternoon and one foot raised. I might bring her inside a few hours..

I do the same thing with a few of mine. My porcelain d’Anvers rooster wants picked up a lot. I’ll feel him shivering, so I put him in my coat to warm him and continue with chores. I think you’ll like the heat panel. Mine are Cozy Coop brand. I set them on low, and it’s really warm to the touch. A few nights I set them on high. The birds appreciated it. Every time I checked, they were in front of them.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

I do the same thing with a few of mine. My porcelain d’Anvers rooster wants picked up a lot. I’ll feel him shivering, so I put him in my coat to warm him and continue with chores. I think you’ll like the heat panel. Mine are Cozy Coop brand. I set them on low, and it’s really warm to the touch. A few nights I set them on high. The birds appreciated it. Every time I checked, they were in front of them.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

Thank you! I'll look into the Cozy Coop..it's probably better than the Producer's Pride brand sold at Tractor Supply. Love that your roo lets you hold him! Mine wouldn't consider it, although he does jump on my back which i choose to think shows affection I tried to pick up my shivering d'uccle hen, but only a couple of my hens let me pick them up. She ran off like I was a monster If she doesn't roost in the new nesting area next to the heated panel, i might move her and the other d'uccle after dark. The rest of my hens are large, so i think they are ok. I also am a worried chicken mama, whether they let me hold them or not!

 

[WoDia]

Thank you! I'll look into the Cozy Coop..it's probably better than the Producer's Pride brand sold at Tractor Supply. Love that your roo lets you hold him! Mine wouldn't consider it, although he does jump on my back which i choose to think shows affection I tried to pick up my shivering d'uccle hen, but only a couple of my hens let me pick them up. She ran off like I was a monster If she doesn't roost in the new nesting area next to the heated panel, i might move her and the other d'uccle after dark. The rest of my hens are large, so i think they are ok. I also am a worried chicken mama, whether they let me hold them or not!

Ive never used the Producers Pride heat panel, but I imagine it’s good too. I’m sure your d’Uccles are going to appreciate a little warmth from that panel. After they figure out what it does, you’ll probably find them there. Wow, you’re rooster jumps on your back. I hope he’s bantam-sized! My Seramas do that too, and I’m playing catch the teeny flying chicken every day!