I have been reading multiple threads about chickens in the snow. We're in Florida, but we have deep freeze warnings for this week (in the 20s). Should I worry about frostbite in my chickens? They all have coops at night, which are really large storage rooms that were converted to chicken coops. I let them free range during the day. How cold does it have to get before I should worry?
I was going to be asking that question myself. We had lots of rain a few weeks ago, then cold, so the girls are sloshing around in ice water in their runs ( they have the option of staying on dryer ground, they are just too dopey to do so) Their feet get very red, and I am concerned about frostbite. My daughter had chickens years ago that I hated- so I never paid any mind to whether they were comfortable or not. They free ranged in ice and snow. When it was extra cold, they stayed inside. Never had frostbite on them.
Here in Kansas, NW corner, got to -11* a few weeks ago. All the birds stayed in the coop, but a few roos got frostbite. Nothing bad, just shows darker areas on the waddles and combs. I'm told it'll be alright. They run in snow and ice, still scratching for what???? When it's below zero degrees I try to keep them inside. Above zero and the inside of the coop is much warmer. I wouldn't give to much worry at 20* and being inside. Put a thermometer in the coop, and I'll bet it is above 32* Have faith, chicks aren't all that dumb.
