6 DEGREES IN GEORGIA - WOW!

[Sparks]

-35 F. this morning! Kept them locked up until -15 below. Coop was toasty. Two 100 watt lights have been going constantly. Toasty for them is 10 F. Everyone fine. Strangely enough it will be in the 30s next week. We are really happy to note the low tonight will be 10(above zero) Whoppee! Stay safe all.

 

[rooster-red]

It went down to 9 here overnight, will struggle to get to 32.

 

[LynneP]

My heart goes out to you if you are not used to this severe weather. I know you could give us northerners a lesson in dealing with heat. If it passes quickly you may be able to avoid losses, but when the ambient heat in your tractors and open coops is gone, your birds could be in deep trouble. Please take every precaution you can, and take care of yourselves during this, too. And when some of your move birds inside remember to give them something for beak/nail trimming as you probably haven't needed that indoors for a long while. Here are some thoughts on severe winter conditions-

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-seasonal-concerns

Some of us have purchased heated electric dog bowls this year- they are wonderful if you think water will freeze.

 

[basicliving]

LynneP you are very sweet. It was 2 degrees here this morning when I got up. It's almost 1PM, and only gotten up to 10. I am just not used to that kind of cold weather - and neither are my chickens! But I have to say, I was quite pleased when I opened up the coop for them this morning. They had it up to 28 degrees in there - with no heating (other than each other) whatsoever! The coop is insulated though. But that's even with the ventilation grates open! I'm pretty happy about that.

At any rate, they didn't want to come out when I opened up for them - but they are all outside now, scratching around in the sun.

Stay warm everyone!
Penny

 

[Felicitas]

Our home doesn't do too well in temps below about 20F, so it's very cold in here, and the chicks I'm brooding in the living room are pretty unhappy. They are huddling tightly under the heat lamp and I'm keeping an close eye on them to make sure they don't start piling.

I'd go out and get them a space heater (actually *I* could use a space heater at this point, too) but the car is in the shop!

 

[LynneP]

Felicitas- your chicks may benefit from more bedding and an enclosure, provided you can do this without a fire hazard. Even a shoe box with bedding and an entrance can be useful to gather the heat but to allow them to move back if they get too warm. Keep a close eye on them, and on any modifications, it's amazing how much heat a small enclosure can gather.

Devices like this work in coops too- like a dog exercise pen sheathed with cardboard. The trick is having something steady so it can't wobble or become a hazard. Birds must be able to exit if too warm and water should be close to the exit.

Penny- They are quite the little heat engines. I finally understand the draft-free concept, they can tolerate a lot if they have that.