Bitter Cold here in Wisconsin the next few days......

[path.otto]

@aart, so what do you do if any of your chickens fail your treat test? We are having frigid weather, -10F and below at night, for the next 10 days.

 

[chickens really]

Hello....Yesterday here in Alberts was -31C but felt like -36C..I run heat in my Coop although the water still freezes. Coop feels about -10C..Brrr.
Left the Birds in the Coop. Another week of Artic air hanging over Alberta..Brrrrr!

 

[chickmom3941]

-35 here last night, birds are in an unheated coop with lots of bedding and shelves covered in bedding to roost on. They were fine this morning. They were really happy to be fed inside today, the coop was -12 when I was in there adding bedding around this afternoon.

This is the first winter that we're not adding any supplemental heat, and I am really worrying about our chickens. They seem fine, but it's been really cold, and no relief in sight. So do your hens prefer the shelves w/bedding to roost on, rather than just regular roosting bars? That is a good idea, I bet it's warmer than just sitting on a 2 x 4! We put LOTS of hay in their pen where they hang out all day, which they like to hunker down in, but nothing like that where they roost. I'm just wondering if they would like it if we put boards w/hay on their roosting perches, or if they prefer actually gripping a bar when they sleep?

 

[aart]

-35 here last night, birds are in an unheated coop with lots of bedding and shelves covered in bedding to roost on. They were fine this morning. They were really happy to be fed inside today, the coop was -12 when I was in there adding bedding around this afternoon.

Where are you located?

@aart, so what do you do if any of your chickens fail your treat test? We are having frigid weather, -10F and below at night, for the next 10 days.

In summer I isolate and give electrolyte/vitamin mix(Sav-A-Chik), had to hand feed all day once.
Never had one fail it in winter...not sure what I would do, maybe same thing.

 

[SueT]

So do your hens prefer the shelves w/bedding to roost on, rather than just regular roosting bars?

Well it isn't any where near as cold here, but we had 2º F this morning....ours always have the choice of a shelf w bedding or roosts, and tho during above freezing weather, the lowest in pecking order are relegated to the shelf, last few nights they all huddled together on the roosts, little bantams nestled in between the big girls who don't tolerate them normally.
Why not offer it and see, as an experiment?

 

[chickmom3941]

Well it isn't any where near as cold here, but we had 2º F this morning....ours always have the choice of a shelf w bedding or roosts, and tho during above freezing weather, the lowest in pecking order are relegated to the shelf, last few nights they all huddled together on the roosts, little bantams nestled in between the big girls who don't tolerate them normally.
Why not offer it and see, as an experiment?

So then, you're saying that your hens prefer the roosting bars over the shelf w/bedding?

 

[SueT]

So then, you're saying that your hens prefer the roosting bars over the shelf w/bedding?

yes

 

[biophiliac]

Yes, I think I will just leave well enough alone cause I don't want anything bad to happen....just feel bad for them in this bitter cold.....it sure isn't stopping them from laying eggs!

They should be fine without heat! I was worried too during the first winter. The coop was very well ventilated, lol, and 3 sides of the run wrapped in plastic. A fresh flake of hay to scratch through in the run can work for the 'treat test' and give them something to do..

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

The temps and windchills are in the negative here. I have the run wrapped in plastic on 3 sides and they have the coop open every morning. I just went out to check and give them a little hard boiled egg - they are all in the run area where the wind is blocked off and they have fresh pine shavings. I thought I would find them in the coop considering that the ground has to be cold, but they seem content enough.
@aart and anyone else that knows - are chickens smart enough to know to go inside if needed or should I set up their coop so that they stay inside?

 

[aart]

The temps and windchills are in the negative here. I have the run wrapped in plastic on 3 sides and they have the coop open every morning. I just went out to check and give them a little hard boiled egg - they are all in the run area where the wind is blocked off and they have fresh pine shavings. I thought I would find them in the coop considering that the ground has to be cold, but they seem content enough.
@aart and anyone else that knows - are chickens smart enough to know to go inside if needed or should I set up their coop so that they stay inside?

Sounds like you have a good set up, I assume your run is also covered?
My run is wide open, just a small space(4x7) that is pretty sheltered.
Most days I let them decide whether to go out or not, some go out and some stay inside. Some will walk in the snow, others will not.
Days like today when it's snowing gangbusters and 8F, I left the pop door closed after checking on them. Will probably open it later when I shovel part of the run clear.

To answer your question, most will seek shelter. I don't think the cold ground bothers them much, not like us out there barefoot. Birds have a special adaptation that controls blood flow to the feet to protect them.